Team Locals

Team Locals would like to welcome Emily to the contributors team. Emily will be writing various articles on many subjects for the Team but has chosen to write about the London 2012 Olympics. Emily has selected 10 of the Team GB athletes competing in this years Olympics and will be keeping track of their progress throughout the games and bringing you all the latest news.

We hope you enjoy following her updates as much as we are looking forward to reading them. Please say hello to Emily on Twitter @EmilyGHackett2

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Here at Team Locals we are very excited about the Olympics kicking off with the opening ceremony Friday 27^th

After the amazing turn out at the Portsmouth and Southsea torch relay we know that you are too!

We have chosen 10 Olympians from Team GB to follow and support throughout the duration of the long-awaited 2012 games.

We will be following these athletes through their blood sweat and tears while they do Britain proud, we will post updates from their games, personal successes and twitter updates throughout all their events so you can follow there progress.

So without further ado… Here are the Team Locals top ten to watch -

1. Rebecca ‘Beck’ Adlington

Age: 23

Birthplace: Mansfield

Sporting Events: 400m Freestyle Swim & 800m Freestyle Swim

Rebecca claimed double gold in the 2008 Olympics and is currently ranked number one in the world for both the 400m and 800m freestyle swim. She began swimming following in the footsteps of her two older sisters.  Rebecca has a passion for shoes alongside her swimming, particularly Christian Louboutin!

Follow @BeckAdlington on Twitter

“Thanks for all your Tweets of support for me and @TeamGB – feels amazing to be part of #OurGreatestTeam”

2. Mark Cavendish

Age: 27

Birthplace: Isle of Man

Sporting Events: Cycling, Men’s Road Race

Mark has previously been named Sports Personality Of The Year in 2011. He was Britain’s first road race champion since 1965. Mark began riding a BMX and discovered his passion for riding. Mark has also competed in the ballroom dancing National Championships!

Follow @MarkCavendish on Twitter

“3 muscles make up the buttocks: Gluteus minimus, gluteus medius & gluteus maximus. After today’s TT, I have none. Ripped them to shreds.”

3. Tom ‘The Bomb’ Daley

Age: 18

Birthplace: Plymouth

Sporting Events: Men’s 10m Diving Platform & Men’s 10m Synchronised Diving Platform

Tom was the youngest competitor at the 2008 Olympics. Tom is the current world 10m Synchronised Platform champion and won two medals at the Commonwealth Games. He tragically lost his dad in 2011 who had played a huge part in his success so far. Tom was also a regional Judo champion.

Follow @TomDaley1994 on Twitter

“I can’t believe the London 2012 Olympic games start tomorrow!!!! :O”

4. Jessica Ennis

Age: 26

Birthplace: Sheffield

Sporting Events: Woman’s 100m Hurdles & Woman’s Heptathlon

Jessica was the first British woman to win a medal in the heptathlon championships. She heads the Olympic advertising campaign being shown in adverts for Poweraid, Omega, Olay and Adidas to name a few. Jessica has been made into a wax work at Madame Tussauds in London. She was unable to compete in the 2008 Olympics due to injury but is excited to be competing in the 2012 Olympics in her home country.

Follow @J_Ennis on Twitter

“Great day kitting out! Thank you @adidasUK! The kit is gorgeous and I can’t wait to wear it! #takethestage”

5. Mohamed ‘Mo’ Farah

Age: 29

Birthplace: Somalia, however fled to become a British citizen from civil war aged 8

Sporting Events: Men’s 5000m Race & Men’s 10,000m Race

Mo was the first British man to win the 5,000m world title and was also the first British man to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m in the European championships. He was spotted as a junior by Paula Radcliff who offered to help him with funding towards his training and even paid for his driving lessons!

Follow @Mo_Farah on Twitter!

“Nice run with the boys this morning….!! Now it’s time for ZZZZzzzzzz..!!! Yeeeezzzzz..!!”

6. Phillips Idowu

Age: 33

Birthplace: Hackney, London

Sporting Events: Men’s Triple Jump

Phillips was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for service to athletics. He aspires to win gold in the 2012 Olympics and claims that if he does he will throw his 2008 silver medal in the bin! He is proud of being Hackney born and bred!

Follow @PhillipsIdowu on Twitter!

“I WILL NOT GIVE UP!”

7. Andy Murray

Age: 25

Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland

Sporting events: Men’s Tennis Singles & Men’s Tennis doubles

Murray is the well-loved British tennis player who made it to the final of this year’s Wimbledon Tennis games. He is one of the most successful British tennis players of all time and national number one. Murray also plays football and was offered to play for the Glasgow Rangers. Ages 8 Murray survived the tragic Dunblane massacre in Scotland!

Follow @Andy_Murray on Twitter!

“I play tennis.”

8. Paula Radcliffe

Age: 38

Birthplace: Northwich

Sporting Events: Women’s Marathon

Paula is the world record holder for the women’s marathon and has run marathon’s and races across the world, including Portsmouth’s own Great South Run. Despite Paula having received negative press, especially since her road side toilet break in the 2005 London Marathon, she is still a favourite to go for medals in this year’s Olympics.

Follow @paulajradcliffe on Twitter!

“Are you ready to compete?”

9. Zoe Smith

Age: 18

Birthplace: London

Sporting Events: Women’s Weightlifting 58kg category

Zoe has recently dropped from the 63kg category to 58kg however is still referred to as ‘Britain’s strongest schoolgirl’. Zoe is the underdog of the Olympics after having her funding cut briefly after the Commonwealth Games for gaining weight and being called ‘uncommitted’. She had to deal with the tabloids calling her ‘fat’ but has bounced back and is ready to impress at the Olympics this year.

Follow @ZoePabloSmith on Twitter!

“Off to training now. About to start hyperventilating with excitement in anticipation of seeing the training hall…”

10. Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Tweddle

Age: 27

Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa

Sporting Events: Artistic Gymnastics

Beth is the most successful British gymnast off all-time. She has national titles, six European championships, and three world championships. Although older than most Olympic Gymnasts Beth is still set to do well in the games and hopes to finish with a medal after just missing out on Bronze in 2008.

Follow @bethtweddlenews on Twitter

“Team gb duck joining me in icebath!”

What do you think of our top ten? Leave us a comment or tweet to  @TeamLocals or @EmilyGHackett2

We Hope that you enjoy following the progress of our chosen 10 as much as we do and make sure you get fully behind Team GB for the Olympics in London 2012!