Looking ahead to the Summer Olympic Games in London, the event indeed signifies a special moment for FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis as she grew up in London and is herself an Olympian having competed in the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (CAN) during her competitive years as British Alpine skier.
FIS Newsflash used this occasion to conduct a brief interview.
FIS Newsflash: Which competitions are you in particular looking forward to?
Sarah Lewis: “The atmosphere in London is really building for the Olympic Games and the sunshine has come out to welcome the world to the capital of Great Britain. One of the special aspects is that many iconic sports and tourist landmarks of the city are hosting sports venues, such as The Mall and Horse Guards Parade at Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Hampton Court Palace and Greenwich Park with world famous sporting venues of Wimbledon, Wembley Stadium and Lord's Cricket Ground (but for Archery not Cricket!) as well as the new Olympic Park which has regenerated an entire area of London that will host 12 sports and the Olympic Village.
It is almost impossible to pick just one competition to look forward to, but the success of the host nation is always a key factor to the enthusiasm of the general public and the media at all major events. The recent outstanding victory of Bradley Wiggins in becoming the first ever British winner of the Tour de France with Chris Froome finishing second has been greeted with huge excitement and the first Cycling race on the Opening Day of the Games next Saturday is very eagerly anticipated.”
FIS Newsflash: If you could be a professional athlete in the London Olympics which discipline would it be in?
Sarah Lewis: “Since I am an Olympian and have already participated in the Olympic Games, albeit the Winter edition, I have already experienced this great privilege and do not really feel it is possible to re-live this moment in my life. But I have the highest respect for the skill, dedication, courage and performances of every single athlete who will compete in London, as well as their teams who have helped them reach this important moment in the career and life. But then again, as a Football fan, maybe an opportunity to score the winning goal at Wembley Stadium would actually appeal!”