Previous Editor's Letters
Beijing Olympics
Above: Daley Thompson
We’ve been having a debate in the office about who are the greatest British Olympians. Obviously Steve Redgrave’s name has to be the first on the list, but who else should join him? Seb Coe, Kelly Holmes and Jonathan Edwards got lots of support but in my view there is one man who will always be the best – and this is not just because of his Sussex connections – it has to be Daley Thompson. Not only did he win gold, but he did it twice and at the toughest event going. One of my earliest memories of the Olympic Games is watching Daley take on his nemesis Jurgen Hingsen in Los Angeles for decathlon glory. Two gruelling days of events, from the 100m sprint and long jump to the pole vault and 1,500m. This was Daley’s third Olympics and to beat the world showed real talent and determination – just what the Olympics are all about. I remember disappearing off to the local park with my friends to devise our own decathlon and try to emulate our new hero. The man was a real inspiration. There was even a computer game named after him.
And so all eyes turn to Beijing and this year’s Games. In this issue, we’ve interviewed some of the Sussex competitors going for gold in both the Olympics and Paralympics. Athletes such as Gemma Spofforth, Ben Hawes and Charlotte Kerwood may not yet be household names but they’ll be giving their all this month. Their stories are, like Daley’s, inspirational and who knows, they may become the nation’s next heroes. We’ll keep you updated on their progress in Beijing on this website. In the meantime wish them luck.
Enjoy your Sussex Life.
Jonathan Keeble
Editor
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