Former Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) student Steven Lewis has secured a place in Team GB for the London 2012 Olympics.The 25-year-old, who studied A Levels at NULC, secured his place in the Athletics team for the Men’s Pole Vault. Steven will be flying the flag for Stoke-on-Trent and has his sights set upon striking gold in London, hopefully breaking the British record in the process, which stands tall at 5.80m.Karen Dobson, Principal and Chief Executive at NULC said: “We’re delighted Steven has made it in to Team GB. Everyone at the College is behind him and will be cheering him on during the Olympics.”She continued: “As a Get Set College, the Olympics have played a huge part in college life this year. We’ve had visits from Olympic and Paralympic athletes, as well as hosting a Community Olympics family fun day and inviting children from local schools to our own Paralympic Games.”Also joining Steven in Team GB is local athlete and fellow Pole Vaulter, Kate Dennison, who visited NULC in May providing inspirational talks to students.NULC is a member of the London 2012 Get Set network, in recognition of its commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values.  more

Twenty-two-year-old Moroccain, Mouchine Cheaouri won gold in the men’s pole vault after sweeping 5.10-meters.

Jillian Schwartz says a special connection — and a little less competition — helped her join team Israel after previously competing for the USA   There’s a special connection,” Jillian Schwartz said as she explained her decision to stop competing for team USA and switch to team Israel.On Sunday, Israel’s entire Olympic team gathered for a two-day retreat. At the lunch table, Jillian spoke about her move to Israel, her Jewish childhood and what she expected to achieve at London 2012.In 2009, Schwartz came to Israel with the rest of the US Maccabiah team. The pole-vaulter, who had been part of the US’s delegation to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, decided to stay and compete for the Jewish state.“It’s about the connection, the people and the culture,” Schwartz said. “I think being brought up Jewishly had a lot to do with it.” It, of course, is the move, leaving one of the best athletic teams in the world — after being an Olympian with it — and moving to Israel, where athletics aren’t nearly as popular.Schwartz also said there was a second reason. While she believes she could have made the cut for team USA, she knows that the fact that the Israelis team is less glamorous and prestigious has some benefits for her. “I don’t have to compete quite as often as I did before, which for me — being a little bit older — is definitely a good thing,” said the 32-year-old.  more

Tomblaine, France – Renaud Lavillenie won his 11th consecutive Pole Vault competition Sunday (8) night at the “Meeting d’Athlétisme Stanislas-Nancy”, the fourth stop of the French “Pro Athlé Tour”.

Lavillenie has often mentioned how instructive it was for him to jump under any weather conditions, as external factors forced him to execute his jumps with a sound technique. Nancy provided the recent European champion another difficult training as he had to deal with huge swirling winds.

Using a reduced run-up, he opened his competition at a lower height (5.33m) than usual and managed to adapt his technique to the bursts of winds coming to his side at 5.53m. He needed two attempts to clear 5.63m, which was enough to beat Jerome Clavier (5.43m). The world leader (5.97m) leaped over 5.73m but that was all he could do.

“At 5.83, I had three good jumps, but the weather and the fatigue from all the recent conditions were too much,” the Frenchman explained. “What is important is that I’m confident I can jump high even when it’s difficult.” Now a clear favourite for the Olympic Games, Lavillenie assures that he is not over-confident. “I know that you can’t take anything for granted. I have my feet on the ground, and my coach and family are there to remind me to stay focused.”   more