Journey to the Podium

27.10.09

In the build up to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Essex 2012 Legacy Team have set up the Team Essex Ambassador Scheme which aims to support and nurture local athletes who have been identified as having the potential to compete in the London 2012 games. This year 12 talented Essex Athletes were awarded funding to develop their potential and enable them to focus on their training in the build up to the London 2012

Awards will be given every year up to 2012.

To celebrate and capture these talented athletes Essex County Council have commissioned eight artists to ‘Adopt an Athlete’ and create an artwork that marks their Journey to the Podium or at least to the 2012 Games. The works will range from realistic to abstract and in any medium.  The artists will work with the athletes to develop an art work that captures the essence of their personalities and sport.

The following artists have been commissioned to work with the following Team Essex Ambassadors:

Artist Elaine Tribley working with Wheelchair racer Anne Wafula Strike

Artist Ben Dearnley working with Fencer Alexander O'Connell

Artist Tim Skinner working with Hockey player Chloe Rogers

Aritist Paul Heard Working with Swimmer Ryan Crouch

Artist Wei Ong working with Basketball Player Francesca Whity

Artist Ron Suffield working with Race walker twins Dominic King and Daniel King

Artist Mark Orbell working with 100m hurdler Sarah Claxton

Artist Marc Burden working with working wtih cyclist Russell Hampton

These athletes will be updating their involvement on their blogs linked to the Team to the Team Essex Ambassadors profiles. 

Each athlete has also been assigned a partner secondary school in Essex to work with students to inspire future athletes.

It is intended that the work created by the artists and students from the partner schools will be exhibited around various Essex Venues and if possible at London 2012.

The work will then be given to the partner’s school as a lasting legacy to their involvement in the scheme.

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