A ground-breaking search for Olympic and Paralympic competitors of the past has unearthed some of Coventry and Warwickshire’
The Coventry and Warwickshire 2012 Partnership is putting the final touches to one of the most comprehensive regional databases of former Olympic and Paralympic athletes ever created.
The search has created the first ever Coventry and Warwickshire Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame, designed to recognise and celebrate the achievements of all past and present Olympic and Paralympic athletes with a genuine connection to Coventry and Warwickshire.
The search which is the most detailed record of its kind ever created, dates back over 100 years to the 1900 Paris Games and includes more than 100 athletes with genuine links to Coventry or Warwickshire.
Coventry and Warwickshire’
Researcher Dave Dix is largely responsible for the success of the Hall of Fame after several months of searching through newspaper articles as well as looking through the British Olympic Association, International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee archives.
He said the records produced some unique challenges and an interesting insight into how the region and the world of sport had evolved:
“Once we have established a link to the region the tricky part is filling in the pieces as often all we have is a name and the records are not so good pre-2000,” Dave said.
“It is fascinating to see how sports and the athletes have changed over time - there is a story behind every person and every sport.
“The first Olympians we found in the 1900s were often privately educated but we see a switch to more working class athletes in the 1950s.
“We also see a tremendous amount of athletes produced in the area for the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Games - which is indicative of the strength of the area at that time.”
Tom Clift, C&W partnership manager, came up with the idea to create the Hall of Fame.
He said: “Our vision to be part of the London 2012 Games is far more than just trying to secure pre-games training camps.
“I hope the creation of our Hall of Fame can act as an inspiration to future generations while providing a valuable record for today’s local community to be proud, celebrate and honour the achievements of those who have gone before.
“Coventry and Warwickshire has a long history of producing world-class athletes and without this type of record it could be easy to forget some of the incredible achievements of past Olympians and Paralympians.”
The oldest athletes uncovered by the search so far are three rugby union players who were part of the silver medal winning Moseley Wanderers team which represented Great Britain at the 1900 Paris Olympics.
Herbert Loveitt, from Easenhall in Warwickshire, normally played for Coventry Rugby Club while brothers Claude and Raymond Whittindale, from Kenilworth, usually represented Aston Old Edwardians.
Research shows the team played one game which they lost 27-8 to France. It is thought many of the players travelled overnight to the Olympic Games having represented their club sides the day before and may not have even known they were competing in the Olympic Games.
The Hall of Fame will be published on the C&W 2012 Partnership’
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Simon Gilbert
Advent Communications
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