British Wrestling performance director to carry Olympic Torch

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Posted: Monday 9th April 2012 | 20:24

SHAUN Morley has long known his involvement in this summer's Olympics would be two-pronged - but he's seen it increased to three after being named as a 2012 Torchbearer.

The 45-year-old currently works as a chief inspector for South Yorkshire Police in Barnsley while he also acts as the performance director for British Wrestling.

Shaun therefore knew of his responsibilities to police the Olympic Torch Relay when it passes through South Yorkshire in June and look after Britain's wrestlers at the Games itself.

However his efforts in both capacities have seen him chosen as one of just 8,000 people to carry the London 2012 Torch courtesy of Lloyds TSB - his leg coming on June 29 through Chesterfield.

And Shaun, who has been involved in wrestling since he was seven, competing all over the globe, and has served in the force for 21 years, was taken aback by the news.

"It is quite an honour and I was humbled that someone took the time to nominate me. That was nice enough in itself and it was a real surprise," he said.

"Obviously I will be policing the Torch Relay and I'll be involved with the British team at the Games but it was a pleasant surprise to be told I will be carrying the Torch.

"I am very fortunate to be in such a position and that I can be involved in such a once in a lifetime opportunity and an opportunity to develop the sport and leave a legacy.

"Hopefully that will be the case and hopefully we will be able to move the sport forward and possibly leave the sport in a better position than before."

Shaun has competed at European and World Championship level as well as at the Commonwealth Games but admits he is being realistic with his aims for the current British crop at the Olympics.

"Realistically I don't think we are going to win any medals. My realistic expectation is that we can get somebody into the top six at the Olympics," he added.

"If we achieve that to me it will represent significant progression for a sport that only a minority of people in this country are involved in."

As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB is bringing the excitement of the Games and Olympic Flame closer to you. Find out what we're doing in your community and who is carrying the Flame at lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame

Comments

A slap in the face!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 13:27.

Is this not the guy responsible for recruiting a group of foreign athletes to compete in the place of British athletes, only to realise that all the money he has spent on them is a waste becuase they are not eligible for UK citizenship? This has been well publicised in many national newspapers over the past months. Pertinent that he should be carring a torch though, as it seems he has ensured that many British athletes Olympic dreams have gone up in flames.