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British athletes leave London for Beijing
Kiran Randhawa, Evening Standard29 Jul 2008
They are among Britain's great hopes for Olympic glory.
As they fly out to Beijing this week, images of 20 star athletes will appear on billboards by the Thames to encourage the British public to cheer them on.
Double world champion rower Pete Reed, world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and 500m runner Mo Farah are among those who will feature in the Britain United outdoor exhibition on the South Bank, which opens on Friday.
Athletes from across the country were photographed in places meaningful to them, ranging from their home towns and schools to beaches, forests and places where they began their training.
Ohuruogu, who won gold at the world indoor athletics championships in Osaka last year, is pictured on a black cab outside Stratford Tube station.
The 23-year-old said: "This is my home town. It's quite significant I'm here as I think my love of sport came from my schools and, in particular, my local primary school, which is just up the road. I think this exhibition-is an excellent way of inspiring the whole country to support athletes at the Beijing Olympic Games."
Reed, 26, who has replaced James Cracknell in the team for the coxless four rowing - an event which Britain won in 2000 and 2004 - chose a stretch of the Thames, on which he has raced many times, in front of Battersea Power Station.
Farah, 25, a European silver medallist, is pictured in Bushy Park, where he trains.
Diving prodigy Tom Daley, Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Marlon Devonish, London Marathon winner, Paralympian Shelly Woods and World Champion track cyclist Victoria Pendleton are also showcased in the exhibition, which will run until 17 September.
Reader views (1)
My heart is with the competitors but my head says the IOC betrayed us all by giving this event to China. Today's news that some of the web will be blocked for journalists is the latest evidence that China does not understand democracy.
- Norman, London, 30/07/2008 11:50
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