Dr Aki Salo, a senior lecturer in Sport & Exercise Science in the University’s School for Health is one of the British Olympic Association’s team officials providing technical support for the sprint squads who are competing at the Games.
He flew out to Macau, China for the preparation camps at the beginning of August before travelling with the team to Beijing. Using his expertise in biomechanics, he is analysing and assessing the performance of the sprinters, in particular the 4 x 100m men’s and women’s relay teams, providing feedback to the coaches and athletes.
Dr Salo teaches undergraduate Sport & Exercise Science student Craig Pickering, who reached the second round of the men’s 100m and forms part of the men’s 4×100m relay squad who will begin their campaign on Thursday 21 August.
Two of the University’s Sport & Exercise Science graduates are also competing in the Olympic Games for Team GB: Dale Garland forms part of the 4 x 400m relay team and Richard Mantell is a member of the hockey team.
Dr Salo said: “The relay squads enjoyed excellent training at the camp in Macau. There is huge excitement around the men’s sprint right now.
“We are looking forward to the relays with great anticipation and optimism.”