Laureus Chairman Moses believes London Games “can match Sydney for atmosphere”

London, June 28, 2012

Laureus Academy Chairman Edwin Moses is confident the atmosphere during this summer’s London Games will present a lasting memory for the people in the city and could match that of Barcelona in 1992 and Sydney in 2000.

Moses was speaking at today’s British Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) media lunch. There he was joined by some of London’s top sports writers to offer a range of insights into all things athletics.

Speaking with just a month to go before the Games officially kick-off, Moses said: “The Barcelona and Sydney Games both had the setting on the coast and that helped make it incredible… But with it being a Jubilee year and the London bars, restaurants and night-life, it will make this a very special Games [in the capital]”

And having been a frequent visitor to London in his role as Laureus Academy Chairman since the city was awarded the Games, the two-time gold-medallist was keen to add how meaningful seeing the completed Olympic stadium last year was to him and that it had been “a joy to watch London develop to this point.”

But the writers were not just asking questions on Olympic matters for the athletics legend. On being asked about where he found his competitive streak, Moses gave some fascinating insight into his experience as a young sports enthusiast.

Looking back to when he first started taking part in sports, Moses said: “Having been born at the end of the school year intake, I was always one of the smaller guys. So when it came to team sports, basketball, football, the selector would look along the line and I just didn't get picked.

“But I never saw myself as a victim and never felt sorry for myself,” he continued. “Then when I came to track sports, size didn't matter.”

Following the questions, doyen of the rugby writing world and SJA member Terry O’Connor (below, left) presented Moses with a framed print in thanks for answering questions of the many writers in attendance.