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swindonlink.com • October 2012 3
Anti-doping Games Maker Claire hailed as a hero!

Thirty-eight year old mum of two Claire Purnell from Redhouse was one of the many thousands of volun-
tary Olympic Games Makers during London 2012, and one privileged to be chosen for anti-doping duty.
Expressing her gratitude to her the Team GB welcome party along-
husband and young family for side Boris Johnson, Princess Anne
coping without her during her six and Jonathan Edwards.
week absence, Claire said: “My little “I guess my role as a professional Top quality food, locally grown and
girl even went to school dressed as within education, concerned with delivered by us to your door via
me on the day Red Oaks did their the welfare of learners and some- our popular box-scheme (free first box)
Super Hero Day. Other kids went times having to deal with conflict NOW OPEN: LARGER FARMSHOP
dressed as Superman and Batman; meant I had the skills to handle stocking fresh locally grown
she was there with my clipboard highly charged emotional situa- vegetables, organic meat and eggs,
saying ‘let me test you for drugs!’ tions. The most challenging athletes dairy produce, honey, preserves,
She told me that she thought I was a to work with were those who had cupboard essentials and household goods
hero because without me the games achieved fourth or fifth place. They
wouldn’t have happened.” were often in bits and I was the one 01793 772287
Claire and gold medallist Ye Shiwen
Explaining her role Claire, who telling them how brilliantly they’d www.purtonhouseorganics.co.uk
works as a student manager at into her. They were implying that done just to be there.”
Swindon College, said: “I was based such a young swimmer must have Claire was lucky enough to be in
in the aquatics centre and had to been doped.” the crowd to see Mo Farrah win his
notify athletes of their selection for Claire submitted her application second gold, as she’d been given Inspired by
doping control after their event. to be a Games Maker in June 2009. a £300 ticket by a very generous British success
They had to stay under continuous “I didn’t hear anything for about spectator who wasn’t able to attend. at the London
observation until they gave blood a year, then was called for interview A former county swimming Games?
and urine samples, so I got to ac- and told I had been successful in champion in her own right Claire’s The Bike Doctor will help you
company many athletes through January 2011 when the training and work in the aquatics centre was a get the best from your
their victory ceremonies and even test events started,” she said. dream come true. She said: “The cycling equipment
their press conferences.” “We had all our food and our whole experience was the closest I
She also carried out random transport paid for, but we had to will ever get to being an Olympic FREE collection
checks, sometimes waking up ath- find our own accom- athlete; I will trea- & delivery from
letes in the morning to collect their modation, which some sure the memories home or work
first wee of the day, or having to people in London were forever.” ★ Servicing & repairs
locate them in the Olympic Village. really trying to cash in • See more ★ Internet purchase
She said: “It was like looking for a on. I landed on my feet pictures of Claire Over 35 yrs bike assembly &
needle in a haystack sometimes. quite by chance at one at the Olympics: experience safety checks
First you had to go to their room of the training sessions www.bit.ly/gmclaire Phil Mitchell: 874873 day or eve.
and if they weren’t in, I’d try the when I met a family or 07850 650956 (mobile)
dining room, then look in the gym.” whose father had the Claire with Dame Kelly
Due to the professionalism of her same job and shift pat- Holmes
role, Claire is discreet about how the tern as me. They invited me to stay
athletes responded to their tests. with them for nothing, and have
However one that Claire looked really become my second family.”
after was the 16 year old Chinese Claire admits that the whole
swimmer Ye Shiwen who won gold experience was like being in
in the 200 metres In- a parallel universe.
dividual Medley. She She said: “I made so
said: “I got to hold many new friends
her medal, which was and got to meet ath-
really heavy. She was letes like Rebecca
very sweet and didn’t Adlington, Mo Far-
speak much English, rah, Michael Phelps,
but she conducted Sir Chris Hoy, and
herself really well Dame Kelly Holmes.
when the press laid I also attended the
Opening Ceremony
Experiencing where
dreams were made dress rehearsal and

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