Top Laureus fundraiser chosen to be Olympic torchbearer

London - April 5, 2012

From the top of Mt Kilimanjaro to the slums of Nairobi and the streets of London, Denise Larrad (pictured above, far right) has shown her constant commitment to Laureus over the years.

Now she has been rewarded with one of the most sought after roles in the forthcoming Olympic Games in London - she will act as one of the torchbearers on the route of the Olympic flame.

Having been nominated by others from her community, her remarkable dedication to helping bring sport to young people the world over has been rewarded with this once-in-a-lifetime Olympic honour.

Dee’s first Laureus experience came when she was lucky enough to join Academy Member Martina Navratilova on her climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya.

Before the climb, however, Dee and her fellow climbers had the chance to visit the Laureus-supported Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA).

It turned out to be a very special experience for Dee.

Recalling her thoughts of the MYSA project, she said: “I was so blown away by the place… We went to the slums and I didn’t stop crying for hours. The project was just full of happy, smiling children and I just can’t tell you the effect it had on me, it was just phenomenal.”

The visit has inspired Dee to run for Laureus at this year’s London Marathon in the run up to what will be a very special year of sport for her.

Dee will be undertaking her leg of the relay in Sheffield this summer.