Let the games begin
FESTIVE CHOICE: Superstars 2012, BBC1, 6.45pm
CHANCE to revel once again in Yorkshire’s sporting prowess as some of the county’s Olympic heroes go head to head in a festive edition of Superstars. Hosted by Leeds’s own Gabby Logan, rower Andrew Triggs Hodge, from Hebden, Otley’s Lizzie Armitstead and Yorkshire triathlete brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee will be up against the likes of Jade Jones, Katherine Grainger and Mo Farah.
Sixteen of Team GB’s medal winners are taking part in the show, which will see them pushed well and truly out of their comfort zones as they vie to be crowned the two best all-round Superstars. The athletes’ versatility and determination will be pushed to the maximum as they participate in eight different disciplines – on the track in the 100 metres and 800 metres, on the field in the javelin, in the pool in a 50-metre swim and in a test of their archery skills. The contestants will also tackle a kayak race and use their cycling skills in a hill climb. Their efforts will culminate in a grand finale featuring the classic Superstars event – the gym tests.
“As a rower I am locked into a very specific training programme, so I knew it could be a bit of a disaster,” says Triggs Hodge, who won gold in the coxless four at London 2012. “I thought the best form of preparation would be to go on honeymoon for two and a half weeks, somewhere nice and warm and eat and drink what I liked. However, when I started training again I realised that this concept has a fatal flaw.
“I was a bit nervous about the running as I’ve spent all my athletic career sitting down. I’ve watched a previous series with Sir Steve Redgrave taking part in the running. I know I have some big shoes to fill, but as rowers I feel that we have taken the next evolutionary step by getting on to our feet. Having said all that, while I’m not a religious man I will be praying before every event.”
London 2012 bronze medallist swimmer Rebecca Adlington will also act as a mentor to all the athletes in the swimming event. She’ll be providing useful tips and guidance on technique, as well as, of course, encouragement to her Team GB teammates.
“I’ve started back training on the bike, but that’s it,” says Armitstead, who took silver in the cycling road race. “I’m not sure what the crossover will be from cycling fitness to the specific skills required for each of these events, but hopefully it will be enough to be competitive or at least not to make a fool of myself.
“Like the rest of the athletes, the gym tests are what I’m most apprehensive about. I have no upper body strength as it’s not really needed for cycling, so it could be a bit embarrassing.
“However, what really appealed to me about taking part in Superstars was the opportunity to compete against other Olympians from very different sports.”