Two Lincoln students have been shortlisted to bear the Olympic torch as it travels through the city.
… James Roark from Horncastle and Jade Etherington from Bourne who both study at Bishops Grosseteste were nominated by the uni for their contributions to sport.
Jade a geography and educations studies student, who suffers from Glaucoma and Axenfield’s syndrome – which have caused her to lose most of her sight – is also hoping to compete in the 2014 Paralympics.
She said;
“It’s a real honour to be given the chance to carry the torch and be a part of the biggest sporting event in the world. Im hoping it will also raise awareness of the Paralympics. Im hoping to qualify to be a part of the British Disabled Skiing Team in 2014.”
Haf Merrifield, Deputy Principal at BG said;
“We nominated Jade and James to be torchbearers because they are exceptional students that BG is proud of. James has been teaching people of all ages how to swim for the last four years and Jade has high hopes to represent Britain in the 2014 Olympics in Russia. They were the perfect candidates.”
Sport and education studies student James also works at Horncastle swimming pool as a swimming instructor and lifeguard said;
“It’s really humbling to think I might be carrying the Olympic torch. When the world’s eyes are on Britain, its good to know Lincoln could be represented by someone from BG.”
Haf Merrifield told the Lincolnite;
“Our first cohort of Sports Studies students graduated in 2011 and were joined by former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence who became an honorary graduate of Bishops Grosseteste University.”
About the Olympic Torch
The Olympic Torch was designed by two Londoners, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby along with product engineering company Tecosim. It starts it’s journey in Greece, where it is lit during a traditional ceremony and then transferred to the host city.The flame will be carried around the UK by 8,000 individuals for 70 days, from the 19th May to 27th July through more than 1000 of the country’s cities, towns and villages. It will come within 10 miles of 95% of people in the UK including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Methods of transport will range from horseback to zip-wire. The lighting of the cauldron during the Olympic Opening ceremony marks the official start of the Games.The street-by-street route is yet to be announced by The Olympic Games Organising Committee.