Saturday 21 March 2009

An Interview with Lord Sebastian Coe

 Lord Coe with James 
Lord Sebastian Coe will forever be remembered as one of the finest athletes to represent Great Britain, after winning four Olympic medals and setting an astounding eight world records, in middle-distance running.

Coe who studied economics and social history at Loughborough University, began his running career at the tender age of 12 after joining Sheffield's Hallamshire Harriers, and it was here, between studies, a teenage Coe trained and began to win county and school championships at 3,000m, 1,500m and cross country.

His father Peter, who was also his coach, cleverly built on his son’s potential with a lot of technical and weights work. It paid off, with Coe winning his first race in 1977, during an 800 metre event at the European Indoor Championships, in the aptly named, San Sebastian, Spain, setting the pace for the rest of his career.

Now, as chairman of the 2012 organising committee, Lord Coe is once again the man at the centre of the world's greatest sporting event.

As the press began to tuck into the vast array of biscuits, and cakes on offer, as part of the mini buffet put on for the launch of John Keddie's book Running the Race, Lord Coe took his opportunity to swiftly slip into the press conference before the hoards of reporters, who had gathered, had time to notice his arrival. Dressed in a smart blue suit, with his hair neatly arranged, there was a certain film star quality about the two times Olympic gold medallist. It is not just the way he presents himself that projects this image, but the way he assertively holds his lean 5'9" frame too.

On entering the room he quietly made his way to the front, scanning the several rows of seats, as he anxiously looked for somewhere to sit. After spotting his designated place, he hurriedly sat down, picked up a copy of the book he was promoting from the pile that he and the author were to sign later, and began to read the foreword he had written.

The buffet had proved a fine and welcome distraction for Coe who for, some reason, seemed to want to keep a low profile, enabling him to sit alone. Although this was the first time I had been in Lord Coe's presence, it was immediately clear what type of man this celebrated Olympian was. Despite his willingness to keep himself to himself, there was a certain air of authority and unquestionable confidence that only the most successful athletes possess.

After introducing myself, Lord Coe rather charmingly moved his belongings that were stacked up on the seat next to him, and invited me to sit down. Before I could begin the interview, Lord Coe, or Seb as he wished to be called, insisted on getting us both a cup of tea. As he went to fetch the drinks, I wondered where I should start the interview. Not only has he had a fascinating career, but he has had an enthralling life too.

Back in his running days he was one of athletics' greatest middle distance runners. Not only has he won two Olympic gold's but, in 1979, he was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year after breaking three world records, in just forty-one days. With an engaging enthusiasm, he said, "I trained and raced for 12 years before I made an Olympic Games, so for me winning an Olympic gold was the culmination of hundreds of thousands of miles of running, weight sessions and coaching paying off. But I suppose the first thing you feel finishing an event with a great result is relief, because you don’t feel you’ve let down all the people who’ve been helping you along the way. You’re also glad it’s over for the moment, although you soon get back into the mindset of wanting to be a better runner next time round."

But it is not just on the track that Lord Coe has excelled. In 1992 he became a Conservative MP, working alongside William Hague, and now holds the prestigious position of Chairman of the 2012 organising committee, where, arguably, he won his greatest ever race by bringing the Olympic games to London.

The London bid was initially way off the pace and when the five candidate cities were shortlisted, London was rated third behind Madrid and favourites Paris. But with the timing that he showed so often in his illustrious running career, Coe helped London produce the late charge that was required to pip their French rivals. His combination of world record-holding pedigree, political experience, and his general affability played an undeniable part in the bid’s success, giving it an air of authority that was hard to ignore.

It seemed somewhat fitting that he played such a pivotal role in persuading the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to award London the 2012 Games as he has a wonderful history with them. "The Olympics are the greatest sporting event there is."

Eliciting each question with a short speech, he continued, "They transcend sport. There is no other non political gathering that brings people together in such profusion and with such a wonderful vision. It’s not the panacea for all human ills, but it sure goes a long way to driving all sorts of values. Just look at the values of both the Olympics and Paralympics. The values of respect, friendship, courage, determination and sheer will to overcome adversity. This is something only sport can manage."

Despite Beijing's meteoric success Lord Coe, who once ran an astonishing seventeen miles one Christmas morning, assures me he is not suffering sleepless nights over the awesome responsibility. "I’ve broken 13 world records in my time. I don’t intend to break a fourteenth and be the first organiser of an Olympics to bring them in late. Of course we will have a fantastic Games. We have a wonderful propensity in this country to doubt our ability. We have fantastic examples of excellence at every level, whether it’s in the arts, sciences, in the quality of our policing or armed services. And yet we sometimes enter a tunnel of despair about it, which few other countries actually do."

The newspaper headlines were inevitable after Britain’s Olympic success. 'It’s great to be British!'; 'Britannia rules the Games!' And who can blame them? It was, after all, a terrific summer full of success for Team G.B, with Great Britain firmly sat in fourth place in the medals table.
Lord Coe proudly boasts, "We’ve got a very good funding programme at elite level now with more money going into elite level sport than ever before. Although money is important it’s not the sole part of the story. You need athletes with hunger and commitment, as well as world class coaching and great administration to win gold medals. Excellence costs."

Despite his obvious confidence about success both in the medals table and in the running of the 2012 games, Lord Coe certainly has a lot of work to do over the next three years as Chairman of the organizing committee. However considering the achievements of his career to date, he seems like the perfect man for the job.

The National Student March 2009

Don't Stop He's Not Had Enough!


Michael Jackson is back and set to perform his famous moonwalk and back catalogue of hits once again. Hold on to your Fedora hats, it's set to be one hell of a tour!

After a 12-year wait, pop legend, Michael Jackson, has announced he will be performing a series of comeback concerts, at the 20,000 seater, O2 arena, in London, this summer, declaring, "I will be performing the songs my fans want to hear."

This Is It, is the latest in a long line of tours the pop icon has performed in during the past 40-years and, according to Mike, it will be the last time he will showcase his incredible talents in the UK.
In an official statement from his website, the singer of classics such as Billie Jean, Thriller and Bad said, "The time has come. It is now I see and feel that calling once again, to be part of music."

Although the former child star and one time lead singer of the Jackson 5, has not toured since 1997 he made a rare appearance at a scheduled press conference, in South London, to make, what was billed, on his official website, a 'special announcement'.
With that 'Jacko-mania' began, creating an immediate media frenzy with the world's press descending on the capital, and thousands more fans congregating on North Greenwich to get a glimpse of their hero, with some even camping out for as along two nights, in the arctic conditions.
Adam Foot, a 20-year old, student at Liverpool University said, "I have been here, at the front of the queue, in my sleeping bag for two nights. It’s been cold but it’s definitely worth it to be at the front and to see him for real. I can’t wait."

Jackson, who celebrated his 50th birthday, last August, announced, in the freezing auditorium, that he is returning to the stage to perform a historic 10 shows in the UK this summer defiantly declaring, "These will be my final show performances in London. This will be it."
He added, with what seemed a hint of sadness, but no regret, "when I say this is it, this really will be it. I mean it. This is the final curtain call."

Unsurprisingly, the multi award winning superstar's statement was met with a chorus of cries from his legions of fans who had trekked to the arena from all corners of the globe, pleading with the style-setting singer to reconsider. The announcement follows months of speculation about a string of shows, which included a proposed return in Las Vegas, but nothing ever materialised, which I'm sure many of his British fans are only too pleased about.

The tour, which is scheduled to open on July 8th, is certainly one of the most eagerly awaited show returns of all time, particularly as Jackson, winner of 13 Grammy Awards, has not played a series of concerts since 1997, when he last toured, with his last live performance coming in 2006, at the World Music Awards, also in London, where he performed Heal the World. Before Michael left the stage through an elaborate red satin curtain, the megastar, declared to his legions of fans, "I love you. I really do. From the bottom of my heart."

Rob Hallett, AEG's President of International Touring said, "We are delighted to facilitate the return of The King of Pop, long may he reign!"
He added, "Michael at The O2 this summer will be the highlight of the musical year. When Michael Jackson performs, the eyes of the World will be watching. This will be his only concerts in the WORLD this year!"

Since Michael's 'special announcement', a further 40 shows have been booked, running from July - February 2010, due to the high demand. Randy Phillips, President of AEG Live, commented, "The last week has been the most astonishing. I have seen in my career in the entertainment business. I, for one, am counting the days, minutes and seconds until that first show. I just cannot wait."

The news of Michael Jackson's return caused tickets to sell at an average rate of 40,000 an hour, which works out at an astonishing 11 per second! Fans from as far a field as Japan, Belgium and Dubai queued to purchase their tickets but, first in line was Ayesha Obi from Lewisham, in South East London. Holding her front row tickets, Ayesha, 19, started crying with emotion and excitement and said, "I queued for two whole days, it was well worth the wait. I am ecstatic!"

So there we have it. 'The King of Pop' is set to perform his greatest hits for the event of the summer and the concerts of the decade. This really is 'It'! Michael Jackson is once again set to 'THRILL YA!'