47 Team 2012 athletes, representing each of the Olympic and Paralympic sports and disciplines, gathered this week in London to hear guidance and advice from sporting legends such as Sir Clive Woodward and Baroness Grey-Thompson.

The Athlete Summit event provided aspiring young athletes from across the country with vital skills that will assist them on their journey as they prepare to compete in their first Games in less than two years’ time.

Alongside Baroness Grey-Thompson, Sir Clive Woodward (BOA Director of Sport) conducted workshops in which he shared his own perspective on the making of champions, with insights into the preparations which led his England team to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. 

Speaking after the Summit, Sir Clive said: “We expect over 75% of Team GB’s athletes in London 2012 to be first time Olympians, and 100% of British athletes will never before have competed in a home Olympic Games.

“With this in mind, the Team 2012 Athlete Summit provides a valuable opportunity for athletes from across the many sports and disciplines to come together and learn from Olympians and Paralympians who have been there, done it and succeeded – and to help prepare themselves for the unique opportunities of competing on home soil in front of thousands of enthusiastic British fans in 2012.”

This event is one of many initiatives being delivered by Team 2012 presented by Visa in order to provide its 1,200 Olympic and Paralympic athletes with the best possible chance of success.  Launched in September 2009, it is already over half way towards its fundraising target of £25million with the monies raised being invested back into sport. 

Distributed primarily by UK Sport’s World Performance Programme, but also to the BOA and BPA to support their Games time preparations, these vital funds assist talented British sportsmen and women with the specialist support services required to help reach their potential – including access to world class coaches, sport science and medical support.

Eleven times Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Visa Ambassador, said: “I know how these athletes feel having been there myself. Support from companies like Visa makes days like today happen and provides an invaluable experience; which means that come the Games, the athletes can all concentrate on what they’ve come to accomplish – doing their best at London 2012.”