Lets make Britain proud!
by Victoria Weston-Yates 19 Nov 2004 16:15 GMT
Questions and answers with Shirley Robertson and Robert Woolf of BT (a partner in the 2012 London Olympic bid)
At this year's Games we saw the greatest medal haul for our athletes since the 1924 Olympics - surely one of the biggest inspirations for us all to want to get behind the bid.
Wendy wants to know: "When you set off for Athens did you ever think you would be coming back with gold? "
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: Having won in Sydney gave me confidence that we could win again under pressure but we have had a tough year we have won some regattas but lost others. But I always knew we had a strong enough team to pull it off.
Sally wants to know: "How did you feel when you were being presented with your Olympic medal?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: It's lots of emotions all rolled into one. Initially relief that we had put it together and not messed up and then also I felt terribly proud of my crew and their achievements. The three of us have not stopped smiling since that evening.
Norm24 wants to know: "What was it like in the big reception in London the other day?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: The Parade was fantastic; it was a beautiful sunny day a good omen for the London 2012 bid. So many people came to support us, we were very proud to be British...
Norm24 wants to know: "What was it like in the big reception in London the other day?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: It showed how keen people were to be involved.
Cassie wants to know: "Is it your ambition to win another gold or do you feel you've achieved your goals now?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: It used to be enough to win one gold medal but Steve Redgrave has changed all that. I would love to go on and win one in Britain but I might be a bit old by then. The Olympics is very addictive, whenever I retire it's going to be very hard.
Brad wants to know: "What would it mean to you personally if the Olympics did come to the UK?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: I think for all athletes there is nothing better than competing and hopefully winning in front of home crowd. For sport generally it would be an incredible boost and inspiration to all our young budding athletes.
Leilah wants to know: "If we win 2012, where will the sailing events take place?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: The sailing will take place in Weymouth. Already the site is well developed, it's a great venue for our sport.
Jon and Janice wants to know: "We are keen sailors and would love to be involved in working as volunteers in the sailing events at 2012, are we too early to get involved?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: Until we win the bid, I'm not sure how you could volunteer but it is important to register your support at the 2012 website. The IOC look to each bid for public support.
Jon and Janice wants to know: "We are keen sailors and would love to be involved in working as volunteers in the sailing events at 2012, are we too early to get involved?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: A large number of volunteers are required to stage the games and this is an opportunity for people all over the country to become involved.
Pam wants to know: "From reading the papers, it sounds like hosting the Olympics is going to cost us a fortune, can we afford it?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: Yes, the games will cost a large amount but it will be a good investment in terms of the legacy of improved housing, sporting facilities and business opportunities that are created from hosting the Olympic Games. We can afford it because of the funding to be provided by the government and from businesses.
Brian wants to know: "I live in East London and I'm not quite sure whether Olympics in London will be good for the area or just cause chaos - what do you think?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: The games will surely be good for London and we are already improving transportation links well before preparations will begin so I am optimistic that chaos will not occur. BT is already talking to London 2012 about how we can employ technology to assist the smooth running of public transport. Additionally we are also working on applying technology to develop systems that will make the management of the games more flexible and effective.
Vicky wants to know: "London had the Dome, and has failed several other Olympic bids. What is so special about London?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: London is a vibrant multicultural city and we have a passion for sport. London and the rest of the country have great experience of setting up and running major sporting and other events. I believe that Londoners and everyone else will welcome the chance to participate in such an exciting event.
Vicky wants to know: "Why should we back a campaign for London when we have great cities such as Manchester and Leeds in the North?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: The Commonwealth Games in 2002 were held in Manchester and the 1999 Rugby World Cup was held in several locations only one of which was London. Although the games would be in London other cities would be involved in a number of sports and people and businesses from all over the country would be involved in benefit from the games being held in London...
Vicky wants to know: "Why should we back a campaign for London when we have great cities such as Manchester and Leeds in the North?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: It's actually a British bid hosted by our Capital city for British athletes it would be a fantastic opportunity to compete at home.
Nadine Simpson wants to know: "Being a student here at Leeds Uni, I was wondering what you think a successful bid for the 2012 Olympics could bring to Leeds itself? How exactly would northern cities benefit from such a major event happening in the south of the country?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: We can expect the whole country to benefit from increased tourism, additional jobs from the preparation for the games and the running of the games. We will also create new sporting facilities and training facilities will be improved all over the country.
Samantha wants to know: "Do you think holding the Olympic games in Britain will encourage more young children to take part in sport?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: We have worked with 2012 to create an education package which will hope will enthuse and indeed encourage children to want to participate...
Samantha wants to know: "Do you think holding the Olympic games in Britain will encourage more young children to take part in sport?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: We need to create heroes in sport to encourage children to take part. Having champions at home will do this. Success will breed success and increase participation.
Brian wants to know: "Do you think improving sports teaching in schools should be a priority. I think a lot of talent falls buy the wayside because nobody picks up on their potential"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: All athletes have had mentors in their career that have pushed them in the right direction. We need to improve school sports and allow more physical education in schools if we want a more active population and successful sports people.
Waveboy wants to know: "Will there be any new sailing classes included for 2008 or 2012?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: At the beginning of November, our international body ISAF will decide on the classes to be sailed in Beijing. Rumour has it that the wind will be very light in the sailing venue so I doubt if there will be any waves for waveboy!
Jon and Janice wants to know: "If we hosted 2012 do we have the right conditions for all the different Olympic sailing classes?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: Weymouth is a good sailing venue because it has a variety of weather conditions and has both harbour and open water to sail in. Variety will mean the best sailors prevail.
Pam wants to know: "Are we number 1 in the world at sailing right now?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: Yes! Since Sydney, Britain has been the top sailing nation. Long may it continue.
Emma wants to know: "Do you think there are enough opportunities for young sailors to get experience and succeed in the UK?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: The Royal Yachting Association provide the best youth development programme in the world but it can always be better and if we are to remain number 1 in the world it will have to. If we have the Olympics in 2012, there will be many more opportunities for our young sailors to succeed...
Emma wants to know: "Do you think there are enough opportunities for young sailors to get experience and succeed in the UK?"
Shirley and Robert said: ... Sailing is largely about feeling comfortable in the venue. By having the opportunity to train at home will give our sailors a major advantage.
Winchie wants to know: "What advice could you give to young sailors in order for them to gain the maximum exposure to the sport?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: Initially to race as much as they can ay their local club. After that the Royal Yachting Association provides a good network of national training.
Nadine wants to know: "I'd love to see us host the Olympic bid but what can little old me do to help?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: Please register your support for the bid at www.london2012.com or by texting LONDON to 82012. If we win the bid then there will be many opportunities for you to volunteer to work on the games.
Eric wants to know: "With the governments refusal to intervene in the potential loss of the national institution which is the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, how important is it for companies such as BT to get involved to ensure that things such as London 2012 can have a chance?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: London 2012 operates almost as a small company and BT is providing financial and technology support in the preparation of the bid. Also we are able to advise 2012 on communications and technological issues. As a major company we believe it is important to participate in a major initiative such as this, which offers potentially large economic improvements.
Laurence wants to know: "How is the bid going to affect my council tax?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: Most of the money required will come from the government and the private sector. However, it is likely that there will be a small increase in council tax required from people living in London.
Laurence wants to know: "How would it affect the travel amenities in London?"
Shirley and Robert said: Robert: Public transport in London is already been improved - for example a new international station is under construction at Stratford. Stratford is at the Southern end of the proposed Olympic Park. If London wins the games it is likely that more transport improvements will therefore be accelerated.
Sally wants to know: "Shirley, who was the 1st person you told when you had been successful in gaining a place in the team?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: Although we had successfully achieved the qualifying criteria for our national team we had to wait until Simon Clegg CEO of the British Olympic Association informed us.
Eric wants to know: "What was it like to have a day to spare when the rest of the Olympians were fighting over silver and bronze?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: It's always nice to win without a struggle on the last day. The three of us took the opportunity to visit the health spa for a relaxing afternoon and to have our hair done in time for the medal ceremony in the evening.
Brian wants to know: "Who are your sailing heroes?"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: When I was growing up Rodney Pattison was our greatest sailing hero winning two golds and a silver. Today however Ben Ainslie has matched Rodney's achievement and I'm sure will go on to surpass them. Ben is our modern day hero!
Yngling: "Surely you can't pass up on the chance of beating the world again on home turf in 2012?!?!"
Shirley and Robert said: Shirley: As I will only be 28 (honest!) in 2012 I will of course love to beat the world on my home water
Yngling: "Surely you can't pass up on the chance of beating the world again on home turf in 2012?!?!"
Shirley and Robert said: Thanks for joining us, please register your support at www.london2012.com it really will make a difference to have everyone behind the bid.