Young Leaders Programme

I started work as an Athlete Supporter on the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, London 2012 Young Leaders Programme, meeting the 100 Young Leaders. These 16 and 17 year olds have been chosen to take part in the scheme, to develop community volunteering projects, take part in an 18-month training programme designed to improve their communication and leadership skills.

The London 2012 Young Leaders Programme is designed to give a group of disadvantaged young people the chance to make positive change to their lives. The selected young leaders will then also have the opportunity to play a significant role in the delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

I'm really excited to be involved in such an inspiring project. Also met Dame Kelly Holmes who is a real inspiration and amazing role model. I am still quite starstruck!

Onward and Upward

The Vancouver Games was the most incredible and life-changing experience of my life. I have now been back a week and am feeling the effects. The driving force behind the past two years has evaporated with the last cheers as I came through the finish. The extended build up, the pressure of the media hype surrounding the games, the desire to win, these things have made me focus resolutely, selfishly on my goal to perform. Family and friends who’d travelled miles to support, the world watching on Eurosport, on the net, from the stands, changeable weather, race schedules turned upside down, so much drama! Rain poured, fog descended, the races were run. I dealt with the pressures, skied to the best of my ability, got a good result and now it’s all over.

The Closing Ceremony Procession through the streets of Whistler was fun, I felt so proud. Now life feels somewhat empty without the adrenaline pumping through my veins. However as I return to training and work, some sense of normality trickles back in. I shall learn from a monumental experience and take from it the confidence that I have what it takes. The 2011 World Championships in Sestriere, Italy are calling and I see medals on the Russian horizon.

For now I throw myself back into training and motivational speaking at schools, events and businesses, starting with a Team Super Schools Challenge event later this month. How life has changed!