| Profile: John McClure | John aims to complete each of the 136 Olympic events he is eligible for before Beijing 2008. He is raising money for the Sobell House Hospice Charity. |
Q: Hello John, what on earth are you up to? A: To try and raise money for charity, i’m trying to complete all of the Olympic events before the next Olympics in 2008. There are 136 different disciplines that I need to have a go at and learn to do. Q: And why did you decide to do this crazy challenge? A: I was watching the Olympics and it occurred whilst watching the Pole Vault that I had no idea how someone would find out they are any good at Pole Vaulting. It got me thinking that there are quite a number of sports in the Olympics that an ordinary person would never have a go at. From there I got interested in trying a few of the more obscure ones and then decided it would be quite a thing to try all of them. Q: You’re coming to Notts in April as part of your quest. What are you going to be doing whilst you are in our patch? A: I’m coming up on the 16th of April to the National Watersports Centre where I will be meeting up with Ian Raspin who did canoe slalom at the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics and is now one of the Great Britain coaches. He has very kindly offered to give up some of his time to help my kayak initially and then do some canoeing too. Q: You are going to be getting expert coaching, but to me, with all that fast flowing water, kayaking seems a little bit dangerous – are you worried at all? A: Yeah I’m fairly apprehensive. He was keen to learn whether I could swim whilst wearing a life jacket and helmet in fast flowing water. He seemed to think that I’m going to be falling out a lot! I’ve just come back from a holiday in South Africa where I had a go at Kayaking in the ocean, so i’m feeling more confident than I was. I’m pretty sure that they don’t have Great White Sharks at the National Watersports Centre…. Q: So there are 136 events in all. Are there any that you are dreading? A: I’m dreading the diving. I have a fear of highs and a fear of deep water, so it is hardly ideal! Q: Are you using this challenge to conquer some of your fears? A: I suppose so. I imagine the sense of achievement will be tremendous. The worry is that it’s not going to be enough for me to simply do one ten metre high dive, because I also have to do the synchronized diving, which means I have to do it at least twice. I just hope it’s not as awful as I’m expecting it to be… Q: Are you traveling all around the country to complete this task? A: Yeah I’m very much as the disposal of anyone who will help me out. I’m going up to Scotland and I’ve wangled in a day to go to the Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh, because I’ve never swam in a 50 metre pool before. I’m doing the London Triathlon in August and I’m more than willing to travel to places if people will offer me help. Q: Are you quite a fit and sporty person? A: I don’t know about fit, but I’m certainly keen on sport. I used to be a professional golfer for a couple of years before I injured a finger which ended my career doing that. I’ve always been a very keen watcher and read of sport. I wouldn’t describe myself as being really fit, I don’t really like running which could be a disadvantage when it comes to events like the marathon! Q: Are there any events that you are just completely stumped on and have no idea how you are going to do them? A: The sailing events are one. I don’t have a lot of contacts in the sailing world so I’m fairly stumped as to how I’m going to get hold of a boat. I think there are actually seven sailing events, so that makes seven boats and the expertise to teach me how to use them. Likewise all of the equestrian events are going to be difficult as well and I suspect anyone who owns a course talented enough to go around a cross country course is unlikely to lend me such a prized possession. So it will be interesting trying to get those done… Otherwise I’m looking forward to the things you see on TV and you always wonder just how good you would be compared to the people you watch on television. Q: And you’re keeping a weblog on the internet about your exploits. What response have you had to that? A: Yeah it’s been very good and very positive. A lot of people are keen to get in on the action. One of my friends is coming along to Nottingham and perhaps have a go and if not hold a video camera for posterity. Have had some great reactions and a lot of people pledging money for the charity, which is good… Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the charity? A: It’s called the Sobell House Hospice Charity. It provides care for terminal illness patients and support for their families. It’s very reliant on the donations is receives, I think it needs upwards of £800,000 worth of donations each year. So that's who I'm raising money for... | 
