Stars take plunge for
Great London Swim launch
What do the UK's most medalled
swimmer, Ireland's greatest ever long distance runner and GMTV's
resident doctor have in common with each other? The answer is
wetsuits, cold water and the event that looks set to become
Britain's biggest open water mass participation swim.
This morning, Mark Foster, Sonia O'Sullivan and Dr Hilary
Jones slipped on their wetsuits to take the plunge into the chilly
waters of the Royal Victoria Dock at the launch of the Great London
Swim.
The event is part of Great Swim, a new series of one mile mass
participation televised events taking place throughout the UK,
following the success of the Great North Swim, which made its debut
in Windermere last September. The Great London Swim will take place
on August 15 in the Royal Victoria Dock, London.
It's open to those of all abilities from those who have only
ever swum for fun in the pool through to Olympic champions and has
caught the imagination of some big personalities, with Sonia and Dr
Hilary already having pledged to take part.
Novice swimmer Sonia O'Sullivan pledged to swap her running
shoes for goggles proving that swimming is a sport that can be
enjoyed by all. When asked what time Sonia would hope to complete
the course she replied: "the aim is to swim my age".
Taking its inspiration from the world's biggest half marathon
the Bupa Great North Run, Great Swim uses the formula of mass
participation events, providing a focus and a challenge for which
the individual can train.
Dr Hilary is keen to return to the water after he took part in
the inaugural Great North Swim. Swimming provides the perfect
alternative to running and is a great way to get fit whilst having
fun.
The one mile course will be set against the magnificent London
skyline, with views of Canary Wharf and The O2 arena providing the
perfect backdrop for thousands of swimmers as they take to the
water.
Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, is confident the swim will be
a big success.
"We're delighted to be welcoming the Great London Swim to the
Royal Docks in Newham. This gives the borough the opportunity to
show off some of the headway we've made with regenerating the area
to the thousands of participants.
"Newham does more than any other borough to promote health and
fitness and we'll continue to do so. Any event which encourages
people to be healthy and active is welcome in Newham and I look
forward to seeing the Great London Swim grow in popularity over the
coming years.
"Having major events in the borough is also a windfall for local
businesses as participants will come to Newham from afar and choose
to stay in local hotels and eat at local restaurants before and
after the event."
For more information and details of how to enter please visit
www.greatswim.org