FORMER OLYMPIAN TO SHARES TIPS WITH WOLLONGONG SPORTSPEOPLE

Optus World supports Wollongong sport

Former Australian track hero, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor is running into Wollongong on Wednesday 25 February 2004 to host Optus sponsored athletics training clinics and to appear in store at Optus World.

Ted Dixon, owner of Optus World Wollongong, said he was delighted that in the lead up to the Athens Olympics, Melinda will share her experience with local budding athletes.

"Optus World Wollongong is proud to support such a great local event. We will host Melinda in store on Wednesday 25 February 2004, at 1.30 pm and invite the people of Wollongong to come and meet one of Australia’s sporting legends," Mr Dixon said.

The Optus sponsored event is one of the 'Explosive Speed Clinics' being held throughout regional New South Wales. The clinics have been designed to give young athletes, regardless of their chosen sport, the chance to learn important running techniques.

"We're delighted to support Melinda in this important endeavour." said Stephen Cameron, Optus Director Corporate Marketing.

"By passing on her secrets of success to the next generation of athletes in Wollongong, Melinda is ensuring that Australia's future Olympic heroes won't just come from major metropolitan areas. This program is a continuation of Optus' commitment to regional Australia and the development of future athletes," he said.

The 'Explosive Speed Clinic' will be held from 4-6 pm on Wednesday 25 February 2004 at John O'Dwyer Oval, Albion Park for children aged between nine and sixteen.

Interview and Photo Opportunities:
Melinda Gainsford Taylor is available for interviews with local media at Optus World Wollongong at 1.30 pm on Wednesday 25 February 2004.

For more information:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: 02 9342 7850
Mobile: 0412 206 602

Since her retirement from professional running, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, with the help of Optus, is now devoting her considerable energies to passing on her running secrets to a new generation of athletes.

The 'Mel GT Explosive Speed Clinics' are an initiative of Melinda's. They are designed to teach young people between 9 and 16 years of age, who are serious about their sport, the techniques of 'exploding' off the mark, accelerating quickly and maintaining top speed over distance.

The clinics cover the following areas:

• Warm up and stretching
• Analysing and correcting running techniques
• Demonstrating technical running drills
• Techniques in developing strength and stability
• Exercises that reach the nervous system to be explosive
• Tips on injury prevention
• Importance of nutrition to improve performance

The clinics are a great way for all young athletes, regardless of their chosen sport, to learn important running techniques.

As Melinda grew up and trained in the small regional town of Narromine, she understands that regional and rural areas do not always have access to the same resources as those in cities. As a result, she has targeted her clinics primarily to rural and regional NSW areas.