Imogen Clark carries Olympic Torch!

IMOGEN CLARK - OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY RUNNER! 29th June 2012 Buxton

ImogenOly mpic Torch Bearer Picture Courtesy of Sam Longden Photography

Picture Courtesy of Sam Longden Photography

 Derventio eXcel's Imogen Clark today became an Olympic Torch Bearer when she carried the Olympic torch on its relay around the country in the build up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Imogen poses with her Olympic Torch with her Mum and Dad

 Imogen was nominated by friends and fellow swimming club members Michelle and Katie Pearce:

"Imogen has suffered severe health problems from 6 months old. (Excema & asthma). The excema caused her to be wet wrapped from the age of 1 until it was brought under control. A severe asthma attack caused her to stay in intensive care at Sheffield Childrens Hospital for a week. Regular visits to hospital followed for 3 years with several major asthma attacks. She began to swim at Sharley Park, Clay Cross. She was spotted by Alan, the coach for Rykneld Swimming Club in 2008, she trialled, then became fulltime club member in January 2009. She has climbed the ranks within the club and is now in senior 'A' squad for past 2 years. She was invited to join Derventio excell development squad September 2010. From March 2011 she is now a full time Derventio excel swimmer (Derbyshire elite squad). At a recent Open Swimming Meet at Eckington in May 2011 she has beaten a record for the 50m freestyle that had stood since 2000, this record was held by Britains double olympic gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington, when Becky was 11 in 2000, Imogen beat this time by 0.48 seconds to remove Becky from the record books. She also beat another record that was set 25 years ago for another race. She has battled her illnesses and helped others, proving what can be achieved by determination and hard work. Imogen is an inspiration to lots of club swimmers and would be a very worthy torchbearer for next year and prove that ordinary people from ordinary backgrounds can achieve a dream."

Imogen Clark running towards the kiss of the torches, waving at friends

 Imogen who has been a member of Derbyshire's elite swim squad since Sept 2010 has gone from strength to strength.  Imogen started off in DXDS (Derventio eXcel Development squad) and coupled with the training she did with her home club Rykneld SC improved rapidly to become a full elite squad member in June 2011.  Just 8 months later she achieved one of her dreams to qualify for the National Championships in July 2012. 

 "Imogen's hard work, focus and determination and constant striving to improve her techniques is testament to why she is being so successful, when she first came into the squad her Breaststroke was one of her weakest strokes, and with consistent focus and determination is now ranked one of the fastest Breaststrokers in the country for her age.  I was so proud of her today, to overcome all she has at an early age to become a National level swimmer is great and I hope she remembers today forever" says Kim Hill, Coach.

Imogen Clark handing over the Olympic Flame to Andy Steel

Imogen Clark at the end of her Olympic Torch relay run

Imogen had a smile on her face from start to finish and was greeted by many of her family, swimming friends and school friends along the route.  Imogen is now hoping to bring her Olympic Torch in to show all of her friends at swimming.  You can watch her Olympic torch run on the official website here (you can even see her mum, dad and Michelle trying to run alongside her...for the first part!):

http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/video/live.html between 21 mins and 24 mins

There was also a piece on her on the special Olympic Derby show, which can be found on iplayer here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01k8cvv/Olympic_Torch_East_Midlands/ (21 mins and 50 secs)

Well Done Imogen we are all proud of you!