EDITOR'S CHOICE TOP STORIES CROYDON: Dad attacked while buying ice-cream for daughters Unions threaten holiday rail strike Security error meant T5 passengers weren't checked FEATURES Young negotiators to work with gangs Olympic dreams for judo centre MAYOR NEWS Boris to push for extending Oyster card use BIZARRE LONDON WATFORD: Fine for '50 pence of puff' TRAVEL Security error meant T5 passengers weren't checked COMPETITIONS Win a new spring wardrobe worth £500 from Evans VOTE Do you think Boris Johnson's public transport alcohol ban is a good move? Yes No Not sure GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Oyster extended to FGW services 2 CROYDON: Dad attacked while buying ice-cream for daughters 3 King re-elected as Amersham Mayor 4 New top team at council 5 Peacock meets Olympic legend 6 Mum spots gap in teen underwear market 7 Arsenal Soccer School comes to Finchley 8 Security error meant T5 passengers weren't checked 9 Vicar sees red over 'hot' Gladiator 10 Bucks' care homes rated: full list Today | 7 Days 1 HARROW: Blast area declared crime scene 2 BNP member: 'I'm here to stay' 3 Stab victim was car thief 4 Killer ladybirds in the capital 5 WALTHAMSTOW: "Gas mask" hoodies for children on sale 6 Emergency services accused of brutality on Chessington teen 7 Children must apply for travel photocards 8 Vicar sees red over 'hot' Gladiator 9 Transport booze ban to start in June 10 CCTV not cutting capital's crime, says police chief

The Kingston gymnast who could not afford to follow his sporting dream, despite being pictured on official Olympic promotional material, has finally found a sponsor.

Former Hollyfield School pupil Ben Brown, who was shown vaulting the London Gherkin for the London 2012 bid, told the Kingston Guardian last year that his dream of Olympic glory hung in the balance because he could not afford to train full-time.

But a reprieve has come from the unlikely source of online gaming site King Solomons Poker, which has given him the money he needs to train full-time.

The company will also pay his training and living costs, as well as performance-related bonuses for tournaments in the run up to the Beijing games in 2008.

Keren Fuchs, head of group marketing, said: "I read about Ben's story in the media and I then started making phone calls to see if I could get to him.

"I had to make quite a few but eventually managed to catch up with him.

"We invited him over to our offices and spoke about him and his ambitions. I never really doubted that we were going to sponsor him. He is a fantastic young man and we're delighted to help him achieve his dreams."

Mr Brown trains with the Sutton School of Gymnastics.

1:17pm Thursday 20th April 2006

Print

Email this