Simeon Williamson supports sport projects for kids
Published: 1 July, 2010
by STEVE BARNETT
EUROPEAN champion Simeon Williamson has added his support to a series of new sports projects aimed at encouraging youngsters to become more active and healthy.
The sprinter, who lives in King’s Cross, knows all about beating the odds to make a mark on the professional sports scene.
In 2007 he won gold in the 100m at the European Under-23s Championships, while last year he was part of the 4x100m relay team that won bronze in the World Championships.
Simeon also represented Team GB at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 100m and the 4x100m relay.
The combination of skill and determination that has helped Simeon reach the top of his game could have meant nothing without an element of luck that kept him racing.
It’s an element that the new Camden Sports Academy, Camden Ambassadors and the Camden Community Games plan to eradicate.
At the Mornington Sports Centre yesterday (Wednesday) Camden unveiled their Olympic Sports Legacy, which aim to use the 2012 Games to encourage more people to take part in sport.
Among their planed projects are:
• The Sports Academy, which is aimed at the development of sport in the borough and providing new opportunities for participating, competing and excelling in sport. It will also support 50 talented athletes and help establish six beacon club.
• The Ambassadors Programme, which will focus on increasing the number of people involved in sport by increasing awareness.
• The Community Games, which will harness the spirit of competition. The objectives include getting all Camden schools entering three competitions a year.
Simeon helped launch the initiatives alongside Nicola Adams, a member of the GB boxing squad, and Councillor Tulip Siddiq, Camden’s cabinet member for culture and sport.
Simeon said: “I think the plans are a great way of helping youngsters go from competing in sports at a school level to making it within the semi-professional and professional ranks.
“The biggest problem is that potential athletes fall out of their sports because of the lack of direction and training when they decide to leave school.
For me, sprinter Tyrone Edgar really helped my career because he guided me and helped me fulfil my potential.
“I don’t know what would have happened without his help.
“Hopefully Camden’s new plans will stop future stars from slipping through the net.”