I wouldn’t describe myself as a sports photographer by any means – my lenses aren’t big enough – but the 2012 Olympics in London provided me with a golden opportunity to train my camera at some elite sports people.
First up came Brad Wiggins’ win in the cycling time trial discipline. I have been an avid pro cycling fan for a number of years – a fandom that was fostered when the 1994 Tour de France route planner saw fit to plot a path through the village of Ditchling, a short stroll from my parents’ house.
I travelled to Surbiton, my thinking being that there wouldn’t be too much of a crowd there as opposed to the Hampton Court hub, and I’d therefore be afforded relatively unobstructed views. To my delight – and as a result of some refreshingly forward-thinking stewarding – I was able to sit cross-legged on the road, in front of the barrier that was supposed to confine the likes of me to the pavement. Quite a coup. I arrived at the event arguably a little late – I think I saw about 20 riders go past in total, though I knew that all the big names – Contador, Cancellara, Froome, Martin and Wiggins – were due through towards the end as the highest ranking riders of the field. I fired off the below snaps before diving into a nearby pub to watch the fabulous conclusion to the event and, upon feeling my eyes welling up, beat a hasty retreat back home.
Taylor Phinney – a vehement spokesperson for clean cycling, claims to ride ‘purer than pure’ eschewing even caffeine pills and painkillers
Lieuwe Westra
Brad Wiggins
I missed out on winning much-coveted tickets to events in the Olympic park in the official ballot however was very fortunate that my girlfriend’s Mum can F5 with the best of them and she was able to get an additional ticket for me to join her and her family at an athletics session during the Paralympics. I was utterly blown away by the experience. I will treasure the sights and sounds of the day for the rest of my life. The atmosphere inside the stadium was amazing – I love a football crowd, but the overwhelming support that spectators were giving EVERY athlete was humbling.
Outside the stadium
Panorama of the Olympic Stadium
David Weir claims gold