University of Bath News » olympics

Academic will carry Paralympic torch before joining Department of Psychology

Katharine Barker — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:26:11 +0000

An academic who will be joining the University later this year has been chosen to help carry the flame in the 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.

Dr Michael Proulx, who will start his role as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology in September, was chosen as a torchbearer for his research into blindness and his ongoing engagement with the blind community.

Dr Proulx is currently a lecturer in Cognitive Psychology at Queen Mary, University of London’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences.

He will join some 580 nominees between 28-29 August in carrying the flame from Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, to London for the Paralympic opening ceremony.

Dr Proulx said: “It is an incredible honour, but also very humbling, to be nominated and chosen to be a torch bearer for the Paralympic Games. I am part of an excellent network of researchers working on the cognitive psychology of blindness and devices built to help blind people ’see’ by turning images into sound.

“I am also thrilled to be joining the University of Bath. The Department of Psychology at Bath has a top-notch group of scientists with an excellent reputation for research that is both theoretically driven and has a positive impact on society.”

Dr Proulx’s current research focuses on the use of The vOICe, a ’sensory-substitution’ device used to convert visual information to sound. He has worked with blind individuals to better understand the role of visual experience for awareness and perception.

His work shows how the ‘visual’ parts of the brain process information, even when nothing ‘visual’ can be seen.

The nomination noted that as a postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Proulx first engaged with blind persons through his research and his involvement with the blind community has expanded further throughout his career. He has devoted himself to promoting the careers of blind researchers, through advisement and collaboration, and in doing so is credited with bringing to attention the work of visually impaired scientists, when such achievements are often overlooked.

In addition to his part in the relay, Dr Proulx and his family will be in the audience for the Olympics Women’s Football and Paralympic Five-a-Side Football and Goalball – both of which involve visually impaired athletes.

Thousands celebrate the Olympic Torch’s visit to campus

Alison Jones — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:42:36 +0000

Thousands of cheering students, staff, school children and local people lined the route of the Olympic Torch Relay through campus yesterday as we hosted the start of the Bath leg of its 8,000 mile journey around the UK.

Staff member Fay Hollister was the city’s first Olympic torchbearer, running with the flame past our Sports Training Village and St John’s Field and through to the University entrance, before handing on to the next torchbearer to carry it on towards the city centre.

Fay, from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, was greeted by 5,000 spectators who had gathered in glorious sunshine to enjoy the celebration.

“The experience and feeling of carrying the Olympic torch was unbelievable, and the crowds at the University were amazing,” said Fay. “The whole day far exceeded even my wildest expectations. The people of Bath are so supportive and made the whole event extra special. It’s something I will never forget.”

(l-r) King Edward’s schoolchildren Francesca, Joshua and Tristan. “I’m nervous about being in the final but very excited,” said Tristan “It’s the first time I’ve seen the Olympic Torch in my life and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Students Hanna Wade and Jamie Barrow were also torchbearers in Bath and enjoyed their moments of Olympic history in the city centre, with Jamie receiving the Torch from Bath’s Olympic gold medallist and University ambassador Jason Gardener.

Over 800 children from local schools were part of the crowd that watched the Torch Relay on campus, having taken part in an Ancient Olympics on St John’s Field. The children had created costumes and built chariots at school for a morning of running races, javelin and discuss throwing and chariot racing.

Francesca Hender, aged 10 from King Edward’s School in Bath, said: “I’m really happy to be here and really excited about being in the finals. I’ve seen the Olympic Torch on TV and I feel like I’m really lucky to see it.”

For many of the children it was the culmination of a week of Olympic themed activities and events at school.

Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport, said: “It was a fantastic day and an opportunity for the University of Bath to celebrate the lead up to the biggest sporting show on earth. We were proud
and exhilarated to have the Olympic Torch on campus.

“It was particularly fitting to see the Torch here given the important role the University has played in helping athletes prepare for Olympic and Paralympic Games past and present.

“It was also great to see so many young people taking part in the Ancient Olympics. It’s an important part of our ethos that we are ‘open to all’, providing opportunities for young people to enjoy our world-leading facilities.”

Olympic Flame arrives on campus

Alison Jones — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:21:56 +0000

The University is today, Tuesday 22 May, hosting the torch relay as it visits Bath as part of its 70-day journey across the UK. Staff member Fay Hollister will carry the Olympic Flame through the campus, one of seven staff and students who are experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime chance to carry the Olympic Torch.

The Olympic Flame spreads the message of peace, unity and friendship and 8,000 inspirational torchbearers are carrying it on its journey, culminating in the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games. Watch the torch relay route live.

Fay Hollister, Hanna Wade and Paul James have all been chosen to represent the University as part of the Samsung nomination programme.

Fay is Department Coordinator in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. She volunteers for the Youth Offending Team and gives up her time to support young offenders within the community.

“To have been nominated and selected was so unexpected. I feel very proud and privileged to be able to represent my local community in such an important role. It’s been made even more special and exciting by being able to run my leg of the relay on the University campus in front of friends and family.”

Olympic torchbearers (l-r) Andy Hibbert, Hanna Wade, Jamie Barrow, Charlotte Broadhead and Paul James

Hanna is a fourth year undergraduate studying Modern Languages & European Studies. She regularly spends many hours a week volunteering and this year she is chairing the Students’ Union’s RAG committee, which has raised over £100,000 for local charities. Hanna will run in Bath.

“It took me completely by surprise. It’s an immense honour and I’m very grateful and proud to be given the opportunity to represent the University on such a fantastic occasion.”

— Hannah Wade

Paul is a third year undergraduate studying Coach Education & Sports Development. He volunteers over 20 hours a week in Bath, including volunteering at Mencap’s Super Saturday Club and at Culverhay School. He is currently setting up a charitable organisation to enhance cultural, social and economic exchange between children in Zambia and the UK. Paul will carry the Flame in Bradford-on-Avon ahead of its arrival in Bath.

“I am delighted to be part of the Olympics in this way; it’s a real honour and I’m looking forward to the day.”

Jamie Barrow is a third year Sports Performance undergraduate and he has been chosen to carry the torch as a Lloyds TSB Local Hero. He will carry the torch in Bath. Jamie has been on the British Snowboard Cross Team for the past four years and is aiming to compete at the Winter Olympics in 2014. He was first selected as a Lloyds TSB hero in 2010 and he volunteers for the RELAYS projects that is using the Games to encourage young people and their communities to get involved in sport and cultural activities. He also gives presentations to inspire people through his experiences of sport and international competition.

“This is something you’ll never forget, something you would tell your grandchildren. I’m just so excited and really proud to be able to carry it. It’s quite hard to understand just how amazing it is.”

“You think about the Olympics as the great sporting event on earth, and just being part of it is incredible.”

— Jamie Barrow

Staff members Greg Sharp and Andy Hibbert were both nominated by the British Olympic Foundation – the charitable arm of the British Olympic Association.

As Sports Development Manager, Greg runs events and initiatives to inspire local young people through sport and the Olympic values. He has organised the annual Olympic Day Run on campus for the past ten years.

“It’s an absolute honour to carry the Torch and for me it’s my Olympic dream. Knowing that only 8,000 people can say they have done it means a lot to me. My whole family are coming down to spectate.”

He is also part of the steering group of the National Olympic Academy, a forum that works to introduce more young people to the Olympic movement and connects with other national academies around the world. He will carry the Olympic torch in central Bristol, after its journey through Bath.

Andy has been involved with the Olympic Foundation since its set up in 1992. He has led Olympic camps and projects to introduce young people to Olympic sports and values and, as a teaching fellow in the Department of Sports Development & Recreation, used his expertise in education to advise the Foundation on its information for schools. He is on the steering group of the National Olympic Academy, and this year he will also attend a conference in Olympia for Directors of National Olympic Associations.

“Carrying the torch is a very unexpected but welcome prize for something that I have done for years and really enjoyed doing. I do it because it’s something I believe in – working with youngsters and giving them opportunities is what I’ve been doing all my working life.”

— Andy Hibbert

Andy carried the torch on Sunday 20 may in Torquay, as well as one of his students Charlotte Broadhead.

Charlotte is in her second year of studying Coach Education & Sports Development. She was nominated to carry the torch by Sport England and Active Devon. She has been involved in volunteering since school, through the Duke of Edinburgh awards, and as a qualified volunteer netball and trampoline coach. She was a national trampoline champion, inspiring children of all ages, abilities and disabilities. She went on to become a British Colleges Sport regional and national ambassador and has volunteered for national sports governing bodies. She now captains our Students’ Union’s trampoline club. She has also been selected to volunteer at the London 2012 Beach Volleyball.“When I found out I was a torchbearer, I was in complete shock! I never thought I would get nominated by not just Active Devon, but Sport England as well. I feel honoured and proud to be representing not just the South West, but also around the country and everywhere I have been. I cannot wait to carry the torch!”

Student is well placed to help bring Olympic Torch Relay to Bath

Alison Jones — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:41:02 +0000

When Bath celebrates the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay on Tuesday 22 May, one of our students will be proud to have played a part in making it happen.

Simon Priestley, a 21-year-old Coach Education & Sports Development student, is currently on placement at Bath & North East Somerset Council where he is part of the team that is organising the city’s celebrations of this unique event.

“Working here really gives you a sense that people are looking forward to the Torch Relay, the Olympics and Paralympics.”

Simon is working on the marketing and communications of the Olympic Torch Relay when it come to Bath as well as the Paralympic flame which will come to the city later this summer, which were marked by launch events at the Roman Baths and the University. He’s also part of the team behind the World Record attempt to form the largest ‘Human Olympic Rings’, hoping to attract 5,000 to form the five Olympic rings in Bath’s Royal Victoria Park, overlooking the Royal Crescent.

“I’ve also been involved in promoting other Olympic Legacy programmes such as the Gold Challenge, a charity challenge that encourages people to try out different Olympic and Paralympic sports, completing 2012 km or doing 2012 minutes of exercise, all to raise money for charity.”

“The Torch Relay and World Record Attempt are going to be huge highlights in my year on placement.”

“It’s fantastic to be at the heart of the city’s celebrations. Bath has become my home over the last three years and it’s great to help put something on that residents really appreciate and enjoy.”

Having played a part in the build-up to the Games, Simon is also going to be experiencing the Olympics first hand, volunteering at the rowing events at Eton Dorney.

I wanted to get as close to the Games as possible! I’ll still be trying to go see some events rather than working at them, but, and it sounds clichéd, this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I can say I helped put on the greatest show on earth!”

“I’m really looking forward to just being in an ‘Olympic environment’ and to hopefully seeing a British crowd cheer our rowers on to victory at Eton Dorney.”

When Simon graduates he will be applying for a career in the Royal Navy. “It was really inspiring to see the flame arriving from Greece at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and being flown to the Torch Relay start point by one of the Naval Air Squadrons.

“My aspiration is to join the Royal Navy, however throughout my placement I’ve been in a great place to learn and watch people who are experienced in event organisation, marketing and communications I’ve particularly enjoyed working in these areas so it’s good to know that there are areas in the civilian world I’d also be interested in getting a job in, hopefully in the sporting world somewhere.”

Staff and students carry Olympic Flame

Alison Jones — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:08:59 +0000

The Olympic Flame spreads the message of peace, unity and friendship and 8,000 inspirational torchbearers have been chosen to carry it on its 70-day journey across the UK, culminating in the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games.

The University will host the torch relay as it visits Bath on Tuesday 22 May and we are proud that seven of our staff and students have been selected for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to carry the Olympic Flame, and play a very special part in its journey.

Due to restrictions to parking and safe spectating locations, we are advising all members of the public not to come onto the University campus to view the torch relay. The Olympic Torch will be travelling down Bathwick Hill and into Bath city centre after leaving campus and you are far more likely to get a good view from one of those locations. View the full route through Bath.

Hanna Wade, Paul James and Fay Hollister have all been chosen to represent the University as part of the Samsung nomination programme. They will all carry the Olympic torch in the Bath area.