Last updated at 13:54, Tuesday, 08 May 2012

CUMBRIA’S university is set to have an impact on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and their legacy.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

The University of Cumbria features in two new reports – “Olympic and Paralympic Games: The Impact of Universities” and “Supporting a UK success story: The impact of university research and sport development”, which were launched as part of National Universities Week 2012.

The documents demonstrate the diverse contribution that universities are making to the 2012 Games, the overall impact on the UK sports industry and the work institutions and academics are doing around the Cultural Olympiad and 2012 legacy programme. The University of Cumbria features in the aspects covering local community work which will leave an Olympic legacy, and work taking place with the diving team representing Great Britain.

Nicola Relph, a lecturer in biomechanics at the university, has been working with the GB diving team to provide biomechanical analysis of the top 10 10-metre platform divers on two of the most difficult dives; for male divers, the four and a half somersaults, and for females, the inward three and a half somersaults.

Mrs Relph received accreditation for the World FINA Diving Series in Sheffield last year, providing an opportunity to collect data on the top Olympic divers in the world. This has been used to aid GB diving biomechanics support work and inform coaches and divers of important mechanical variables on themselves and competitors.

Dr Dave Houlston, director of sport at the university, said: “We are delighted that our work has been recognised in these impact reports. Our staff and students have all worked hard to create events and undertake work which will engage our local communities and make them feel involved in London 2012.

“The Games are a fantastic opportunity for the university to showcase their knowledge and experience and create an Olympic legacy in the North West, as well as the wider UK.”

Mrs Relph and Dr Houlston last week attended a parliamentary launch of the reports in London.

First published at 13:06, Tuesday, 08 May 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk