Podium works with Colleges and Universities to engage them with all aspects of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.http://www.podium.ac.uk/KohanaPHPinfo@podium.ac.uk (Stuart Appleby)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/42/ben-ainslie-backs-further-and-higher-education-to-provide-a-springboard-to-successFri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000Three-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie CBE is one of Great Britain’s most decorated athletes of all time. The sailor, who is in line to compete in London (in what would be his fifth Olympic Games), first rose through the ranks as a promising junior in the early 1990s and studied at Peter Symonds College, Winchester, at the same time.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/42/ben-ainslie-backs-further-and-higher-education-to-provide-a-springboard-to-successinfo@podium.ac.uk (Dr Leah Donlan - Lecturer in Sports Marketing at the University of Central Lancashire)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/41/could-social-media-take-the-london-2012-games-by-stormTue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000I am currently conducting research into the use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter by London 2012 sponsors.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/41/could-social-media-take-the-london-2012-games-by-storminfo@podium.ac.uk (Professor Dick Fisher - Head of St Mary's 2012 Preparations and Sport Strategy at St. Mary's University College)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/40/st-marys-university-college-set-for-the-london-2012-gamesTue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000As Jools Holland introduced the Pipers to bring in the New Year and the clock ticked past midnight I wondered if I was the only one who thought - Oh my word 2012 is here and we have to do it.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/40/st-marys-university-college-set-for-the-london-2012-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Neil Mosley - Head of Sport and Assistant Director of Commercial Services at Imperial College London)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/39/imperial-college-londons-head-of-sport-on-what-the-2012-games-mean-to-himWed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000As Head of Sport and Assistant Director of Commercial Services here at Imperial College London, it has always been my intention to ensure that Imperial is in the thick of the action in 2012.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/39/imperial-college-londons-head-of-sport-on-what-the-2012-games-mean-to-himinfo@podium.ac.uk (Professor Andy Lane - University of Wolverhampton)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/38/joint-universities-project-to-regulate-athletes-emotions-ahead-of-the-london-2012-gamesTue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000I am a sport psychology Professor at the University of Wolverhampton and I have worked there since 2000.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/38/joint-universities-project-to-regulate-athletes-emotions-ahead-of-the-london-2012-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Stuart Appleby)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/35/labours-london-2012-mayoral-candidate-supports-the-regeneration-of-the-city-through-the-gamesMon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000Ken Livingstone is Labour’s London 2012 mayoral candidate.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/35/labours-london-2012-mayoral-candidate-supports-the-regeneration-of-the-city-through-the-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Stuart Appleby)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/36/liberal-democrat-london-2012-mayoral-candidate-emphasizes-the-importance-of-further-and-higher-education-sectorsMon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000Brian Paddick is the Liberal Democrat’s London 2012 mayoral candidate.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/36/liberal-democrat-london-2012-mayoral-candidate-emphasizes-the-importance-of-further-and-higher-education-sectorsinfo@podium.ac.uk (Dr Lynn Minnaert - Lecturer in Tourism and Events at the University of Surrey)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/37/london-2012-a-legacy-for-allMon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000With only a few months to go until the Olympics, the excitement in London about the Games and the legacy they will leave behind should be mounting. Yet in the light of the current economic climate many are sceptical if the Games will produce enough benefits for London and the surrounding areas to make the investment worthwhile.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/37/london-2012-a-legacy-for-allinfo@podium.ac.uk (Beatriz Garcia - Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Liverpool)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/34/the-london-2012-games-can-have-a-real-cultural-impactWed, 04 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000I am a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Liverpool, with a focus on cultural policy and event-led regeneration.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/34/the-london-2012-games-can-have-a-real-cultural-impactinfo@podium.ac.uk (Tim Hollingsworth - Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/32/paralympicsgb-ready-and-raring-to-go-for-the-london-2012-gamesTue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000The British Paralympic Association (BPA) is the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) for the UK and we are the designated representative body for the Paralympic Movement. The principal responsibility and mandate that we have as an organisation is to select, enter and manage the team - ParalympicsGB.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/32/paralympicsgb-ready-and-raring-to-go-for-the-london-2012-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (David Padgen - National Disability Sport Officer with British Universities & Colleges Sport)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/33/british-universities-and-colleges-sport-set-to-shine-at-the-london-2012-gamesTue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000I was very fortunate to take part in two Paralympic Games myself. In 1992, I competed in Barcelona and it was a fabulous event. The people of the city really took the Paralympic Games to their hearts and it was an excellent environment to be in. Four years later, in Atlanta, it was also a great experience. The British Paralympic Association made it easy for Paralympians to relax, switch off and refresh away from the pressures of the Games.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/33/british-universities-and-colleges-sport-set-to-shine-at-the-london-2012-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Bronwin Carter. Disability Sports Coach, Portsmouth City Council and England Athletics)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/31/disability-sports-coach-helps-to-find-new-generation-of-paralympiansFri, 09 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000As a ParalympicsGB throws coach, I work at grassroots level for both Portsmouth City Council and England Athletics. I coach pupils with a disability in mainstream and special schools, helping them to take part in sport and enter competitions.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/31/disability-sports-coach-helps-to-find-new-generation-of-paralympiansinfo@podium.ac.uk (Lord Coe. Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOGOC))http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/28/lord-coe-praises-the-further-education-sectors-engagement-with-london-2012Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000We have worked very closely with both colleges and universities through our Podium programme. I came to realise how important Podium was going to be during the bidding process for the London 2012 Games.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/28/lord-coe-praises-the-further-education-sectors-engagement-with-london-2012info@podium.ac.uk (Sir Craig Reedie CBE. Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its Executive Board)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/29/international-olympic-committee-member-supports-the-role-higher-education-will-play-ahead-of-the-2012-gamesThu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000I am a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its Executive Board, serving on several different IOC Commissions. I am also a director of the British Olympic Association and a Member of the Executive Committee and Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/29/international-olympic-committee-member-supports-the-role-higher-education-will-play-ahead-of-the-2012-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Stuart Storey. Sports commentator and former British 110m hurdler)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/30/sports-commentator-looks-forward-to-london-2012Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000I was educated at Spalding Grammar School and my first attempt at the All England Schools Championships was in 1958. I ran in what was then called the 110 yard hurdles (today’s 110 metre hurdles) and I was the slowest in my heat, coming in with one of the slowest times overall.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/30/sports-commentator-looks-forward-to-london-2012info@podium.ac.uk (Nick Heyworth. National Parasport Manager for ParalympicsGB)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/27/parasport-encourages-involvement-ahead-of-the-london-2012-paralympic-gamesTue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000I run the National Parasport programme, which is a partnership between ParalympicsGB and professional services firm Deloitte. Deloitte Parasport was created to provide a clearer pathway towards elite sport for those people with ambitions of representing Great Britain at a Paralympic Games.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/27/parasport-encourages-involvement-ahead-of-the-london-2012-paralympic-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Tony Larkin. Head of Sport and Recreation at the Royal National College for the Blind)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/26/royal-national-college-for-the-blind-helps-to-prepare-2012-paralympic-games-hopefulsTue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000I am the current manager and coach of the England blind football team, which is based at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford. The college's academy for visually impaired players became the first of its kind in the UK when it was opened in 2008.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/26/royal-national-college-for-the-blind-helps-to-prepare-2012-paralympic-games-hopefulsinfo@podium.ac.uk (Stuart Appleby)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/24/paralympic-gold-medallist-urges-involvement-in-the-2012-gamesTue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000Marc Woods is a four-time Paralympic gold medallist, former international swimmer and the winner of a staggering 12 Paralympic medals from the five Games he has competed in.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/24/paralympic-gold-medallist-urges-involvement-in-the-2012-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Ian Ashman, Principal at Hackney Community College)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/20/hackney-community-college-ready-to-play-its-part-in-the-2012-olympic-and-paralympic-gamesMon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000I am delighted the Chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), Lord Coe has announced that Hackney Community College will be the venue where the vast majority of the London 2012 Games Maker volunteers will train during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/20/hackney-community-college-ready-to-play-its-part-in-the-2012-olympic-and-paralympic-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Greg Whyte. Professor in Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool John Moores University)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/21/the-importance-of-further-and-higher-education-for-athletesMon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000Having previously competed as an international modern pentathlete in two Olympic Games, winning both European bronze and World Championship silver medals, I am now a Professor in Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool John Moores University. My main area of expertise is in physiology and I have also helped to train and work with various celebrities for Comic and Sport Relief challenges in recent years, including David Walliams recent eight day swim of the River Thames.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/21/the-importance-of-further-and-higher-education-for-athletesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Chris McGeorge. Elite Athlete Education and Welfare Officer at Loughborough College)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/22/thousands-of-young-people-participate-in-flames-lighting-the-way-programmeMon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000'Flames: Lighting the Way' is a physical activity and healthy living programme promoting the Olympic and Paralympic values to young leaders and primary school children.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/22/thousands-of-young-people-participate-in-flames-lighting-the-way-programmeinfo@podium.ac.uk (Roger Mosey, Director of London 2012 at the BBC)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/23/broadcasting-london-2012-the-bbc-prepares-for-the-olympic-gamesMon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000As Director of London 2012 at the BBC, I take an overview of everything that is related to the Games. This can range from sport broadcasting, to news or cultural events. Together as a team we also work with actors from dramas and comedies who are developing Games related ideas and we are across everything the BBC does that has a London 2012 connection to it.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/23/broadcasting-london-2012-the-bbc-prepares-for-the-olympic-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Neil Young, Head of Brunel University's London 2012 Programme)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/17/london-2012-on-campus-brunel-university-gears-up-for-the-gamesWed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000Brunel University will host the Canadian Paralympic athletics squad, several squads from the Republic of Korea, and the Jamaican sprint squad including Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Jermaine Gonzalez and Rosemary Whyte for pre Games training camps ahead of London 2012 and it is an exciting time on campus.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/17/london-2012-on-campus-brunel-university-gears-up-for-the-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Ruth Faulkner – Be a Champion Ambassador at Queen Mary University of London)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/18/the-power-of-youth-to-harness-positive-changeTue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000This last year has seen the youth of the world rise up and give voice to causes close to their hearts. This uprising ranged from those protesting to overthrow dictatorships in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya to Spain’s ‘indignados’ campaigning against their democratic government for job opportunities and was even seen here in the UK with the Millbank protest campaigning against increased charges for Higher Education. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/18/the-power-of-youth-to-harness-positive-changeinfo@podium.ac.uk (Jennifer Jones, PhD researcher at the University of the West of Scotland)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/16/what-role-does-education-play-in-the-modern-olympic-gamesThu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000What role does education play in the modern Olympic Games? University of West of Scotland PhD student, Jennifer Jones visited the International Olympic Academy in Athens to find out. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/16/what-role-does-education-play-in-the-modern-olympic-gamesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Martin Green - Head of Ceremonies, London 2012)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/15/olympic-torch-relayTue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000There is now less than a year to go until the UK hosts what I think will be the biggest celebration this country has ever witnessed and I would love for as many students, colleges and universities as possible to seize the opportunity to get involved. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/15/olympic-torch-relayinfo@podium.ac.uk (Martin Doel OBE - Chief Executive of Association of Colleges)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/14/colleges-leap-at-olympic-opportunitiesWed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000Colleges are seizing the opportunities presented by the 2012 Games, from designing the logo for the Get Set network, to helping train the volunteers and staff who will help make it happen. The Association of Colleges (AoC) and its 369 members have been working towards the event since London won the bid.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/14/colleges-leap-at-olympic-opportunitiesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Hugh Robertson MP - Sports and Olympics Minister)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/13/on-track-for-the-best-games-everMon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000It is less than two years to go until London hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games and preparations are well on track with 70 per cent of the construction phase complete and the venues creating a real impact on the East London skyline. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/13/on-track-for-the-best-games-everinfo@podium.ac.uk (Andrew Johnston)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/12/what-a-prizeMon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000It has been a privilege to be in Singapore to witness the inaugural Youth Olympic Games as the winner of the 2010 Deloitte Business Competition. As I write, five days of competition have passed and seven further days remain. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/12/what-a-prizeinfo@podium.ac.uk (Professor Geoff Petts - Vice-Chancellor of the University of Westminster)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/11/creating-a-legacy-for-further-and-higher-educationTue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000Under the Chairmanship of Professor Simon Lee, Podium has established an excellent platform to take forward its mission to add value to the Further and Higher Education sectors’ activities in supporting the 2012 Games and to help create a wide ranging and lasting legacy. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/11/creating-a-legacy-for-further-and-higher-educationinfo@podium.ac.uk (Tessa Jowell MP)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/5/tessa-jowell-mp-minister-for-the-olympicsTue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000I feel both lucky and proud to be playing my part in bringing the greatest show on earth to London in 2012. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/5/tessa-jowell-mp-minister-for-the-olympicsinfo@podium.ac.uk (Neale Coleman)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/6/neale-coleman-mayors-adviser-on-london-2012Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000My boss, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, has a number of roles in the overall London 2012 project. As well as being co-chair of the Olympic Board, which supervises the whole 2012 programme, he himself has two particularly important jobs.http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/6/neale-coleman-mayors-adviser-on-london-2012info@podium.ac.uk (Leanne Dingle)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/9/relays-seeking-to-engage-young-peopleSun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000The RELAYS (Regional Educational Legacy for Arts and Youth Sport) project seeks to engage young people in the South West in sporting and cultural events in the run up to London 2012. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/9/relays-seeking-to-engage-young-peopleinfo@podium.ac.uk (Tim Eastop)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/7/creative-campus-initiative-looking-aheadSat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000Motus by musicians Antonio Castells-Delgado and Sebastian Lexer; New Gold by the acclaimed Sign Dance Collective’ and Rush, by student artist, Neil Light are three amazing new commissions being developed as part of the Creative Campus Initiative (CCI), one of the largest consortia of HE institutions in the South East. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/7/creative-campus-initiative-looking-aheadinfo@podium.ac.uk (Libby Homer)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/10/east-london-livesSat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000Here at the University of East London, the library is supporting Olympic research with a number of exciting projects. One of these is East London Lives 2012, a digital archive which documents the changes brought about in East London by the 2012 Olympics. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/10/east-london-livesinfo@podium.ac.uk (Reiss Baker)http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/8/my-work-experience-with-podiumFri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000During my two weeks work experience with Podium I learned a lot about the Unit and how the team are helping colleges and universities engage with London 2012. http://www.podium.ac.uk/blog/post/8/my-work-experience-with-podium