Royal visit to the GSK Human Performance Lab
Posted
13/11/2014
Featuring
SportsAid
The GSK Human Performance Lab held a workshop for 30 young athletes (16-20 year olds) and their coaches to support the SportsAid charity today. The day was designed to help the athletes on their journey to the Olympic or Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 or PyeongChang in 2018.
Our science team ran a series of assessments on respiration, temperature, power, cognition and body composition with all the athletes. We then provided extensive feedback to the athletes and their coaches. The athletes also had mentoring sessions with Olympic swimmer Keri-Anne Payne and Paralympic wheelchair athlete David Weir CBE.
HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, Patron of SportsAid, joined the workshop to lend her support and offer inspiration to the athletes. The Duchess of Cambridge took two cognitive tests to experience first-hand what the athletes had been doing, the tests measured her reaction times.
David Weir said, “It’s been a privilege to meet the athletes here today and share their achievements and challenges with the Duchess. It’s a long road to Tokyo but her support will make a big difference and with the right approach, it’s achievable. It’s exciting to think these athletes could be part of the next generation of British sporting heroes and I wish all of them the very best of luck.”
Watch the film produced by our partners over at SportsAid, charting the young athletes’ day at the HPL and visit by the Duchess of Cornwall.
Another of the assessments seen by the Duchess was in the Environmental Chamber, set to match the heat and humidity of Tokyo. Sprinter Shona Richards, 19 from Epsom in Surrey, who this summer won two silver medals at the junior world championships, described the opportunity as a “brilliant experience".
"It’s been really good, this is one of those places you hear about but you don’t really get an opportunity to go to. So being here is a huge deal and I’m so glad I was invited. It was incredible to meet the Duchess, it’s something I never thought I’d do."
“We spoke about the day and the facilities, the support I’ve had from SportsAid and what I’m aiming for in the future. I’ve been supported by SportsAid for quite a few years now and I can honestly say that it’s one of those things that people don’t realise how much help it does give you as an athlete. There are a lot of places I couldn’t have been, a lot of places I couldn’t have raced without SportsAid, and that needs to be recognised as a huge influence in sport.”
SportsAid’s Chief Executive Tim Lawler said, “We’re very grateful to GSK for opening the Human Performance Lab up to these athletes today and for the fantastic insight it’s given them. We’re also delighted to have the Duchess with us as her support will give a huge boost to these inspirational young people, acknowledging all the sacrifices that they and their families are making for the future of British sport.”
Charles Leslie, Global Head of the GSK Human Performance Lab, added, “It was great to support these talented young athletes and their coaches. We hope the research our science team carried out will help them achieve their goals and that the Duchess enjoyed finding out how science can help the next generation of British athletes.”
