Chance of a lifetime

A CHESTER student has secured a key behind-the- scenes role at the London Olympics.

Yana Radcliffe, 21, will work with Team GB’s performance analysis team. She will capture footage from the tae kwon-do, wrestling, boxing, fencing, archery and weightlifting competitions so it can be scrutinised by GB coaches and performance analysts in a bid to give the national side a sporting advantage.

For Yana, a final year Sports and Exercise Sciences student at the University of Chester, it is the chance of a lifetime.

She said: “It’s such an incredible opportunity, and though I have worked really hard towards this, I still can’t believe it.

“It will be amazing.”

Yana’s association with Team GB began last October when she was put forward by one of her lecturers, Dr Paul Worsfold, for a placement offered by the English Institute of Sport that saw her working with the tae kwon-do team’s performance analysts.

She was tasked with examining the impact recent rule changes had on the techniques used in elite competitions.

Yana’s findings were presented to Team GB’s tae kwon-do performance analyst and their coaches. The input was used to change training and improve the performance of the team.

Yana, who hails from Nantwich, is a black belt kickboxer. She is due to embark on the University of Chester’s Sports and Exercise Sciences Masters course in Biomechanics in September.

Lee was a star of ‘48

A FAMOUS name from Chester FC’s past narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal 64 years ago.

The late Eric Lee was a member of the Great Britain team which finished fourth at the 1948 Games in London.

Chester-born Lee played 363 league games for his hometown club between 1946 and 1957, putting him fourth on the club’s all-time list behind Ray Gill (406), Ron Hughes (399) and Trevor Storton (396).

He played at half-back in all of Britain’s fixtures at the ‘48 Olympics as the host nation, managed by Matt Busby, reached the semi-final stages, only to lose 3-1 to Yugoslavia.

Two days later, Denmark defeated the British 5-3 in the third and fourth place play-off game to deny Lee a bronze medal. Both matches were played at Wembley.

Lee, born in 1922, signed for Chester after being spotted by manager Frank Brown as a 17 year old playing for Hoole Alex. Throughout his 11 years at Sealand Road he played as an amateur while also pursuing a career in teaching. His amateur status qualified him for the GB Olympic team.

Lee left Chester in 1957 and emigrated to Canada where he worked as a teacher. He died in June 1999.

Britain’s men’s football team kick-off their 2012 Olympic campaign with a match against Senegal at Old Trafford this evening. It will be their first appearance at a main Olympic football tournament since 1960.

Former Blues keeper Grenville Millington played for Great Britain against Bulgaria during their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Paula’s final shot

PAULA Radcliffe will be hoping to put the heartache of the last two Olympic Games behind her in London.

The Cheshire-raised marathon runner was seen as a major medal contender in 2004 and 2008, but she was unable to finish in Athens and came a disappointing 23rd in Beijing four years later.

She suffered injuries leading up to both competitions and has being experiencing problems with a foot injury this year, hindering her preparations for the women’s Olympic marathon on Sunday, August 5.

The 38-year-old said: “I know realistically I’m not going in as an overwhelming medal shot or a favourite. The biggest thing for me is to get to that start line 100% healthy and give it my best shot.”

Radcliffe was born in Davenham and lived at Barnton and then Kingsley until the age of 12, when her family moved south to Bedfordshire.

She attended Kingsley Primary School and was a member of Frodsham Harriers, where she was mentored by coach George Bunner.