HARVARD LINKS STILL GOING STRONG

European Junior 200m Champion David Bolarinwa has kicked off his winter in style with excellent progress already, reports Trackspeed1 coach John Powell, and both have now flown to East Coast America for a few days to continue early winter training.

They are based in Boston, where John is further developing his contacts in Harvard University, at the same time availing the five star facilities to David as a brief change from his usual surroundings at Crystal Palace.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for David to see an American University and how they work, as well as enjoy some pretty special facilities,” said John.  “This is going to be a critical development year for David, and he needs to expand his horizons wherever possible.

"We've already had a shock running into former AAA 800m champion Tim Bayley, who is working with his wife at Harvard.  Talk about small world!  They have a great team here, and it's a great opportunity to network with coaches their side of the Atlantic and take new ideas home."

David attacks one of the local challenges in Harvard's football stadium

 David’s first impressions of Boston were very positive, although both athlete and coach were taken a little by surprise by the freezing temperatures and driving rain and eventual sleet and snow on arrival on Saturday:

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” said David, “as I have never been anywhere in the States other than warm weather training in Florida.  Boston is a great city, and I’m looking forward to getting around the Harvard complex and seeing as much of one of the best universities in the world as possible.”

David has already kicked off his training at Harvard in style, attacking one of the big local challenges.  The university’s American Football stadium houses some evil steps, and sprinting up these is a challenge failed by many.

Harvard's football stadium steps present a massive challenge to even
the fittest athletes!

 “It was a seriously tough session,” said David.  “I didn’t go all the way round the stadium, but I was on my last legs at the end after three sets of the first eight aisles – that was enough for me!”

David has also been reunited with Harvard staff including Harvard sprints coach Bryan Fetzer, whom he met during international duty in July in Germany.  He is also getting access to the exclusive strength and conditioning facility that is revered as one of the best in the world at Harvard.  


Coach and athlete fly back to the UK on Friday (4^th)