One of the great benefits of Round Table membership is the opportunity to do things that you may never have had the chance to do… However, probably even greater plus points must be given for the times that you rub shoulders with people that you would normally never have the chance to even meet. Tonight was one of those special events where the guest speaker at an ordinary Table meeting was Olympic Rowing gold medallist Tim Foster.

Firstly I have to say what a genuinely nice guy Tim is. He is modest, amusing, dedicated, good looking and a truly great athlete – we have so much in common!!! Over the course of his speech, Tim told us of his early ambitions to be a professional footballer that were scuppered through lack of ability as a young teenager. How, on watching the Olympics at the age of fourteen that he determined that he would one day win a gold medal. Discovering rowing around the same age Tim embarked on his journey. Not content with an Olympic Bronze Medal at Atlanta in 1996 and some nine World Championship wins – he wanted Olympic Gold!

I can still remember watching him cross the winning line in Sydney with Steve Redgrave, Matt Pinsent and James Cracknell. It is a memory I will cherish as I shared it – live - with hundreds of fellow Tablers in a Student Union bar at National Sporting Weekend in Lancaster at around midnight. The roar as the boat broke the winning line first was huge and we celebrated in style into the early hours of the morning.

Following his speech and questions, Tim circulated his gold medal around the room for everybody to realise the true weight and beauty of such a special memento of a truly magnificent achievement.

I must thank Bicester Table Chairman, Jock Murray for looking after me - but a very special thank you and congratulations must go to Matt Fincham whose efforts to get Tim along to a Table meeting were really outstanding. Thanks for a truly memorable evening.

Richard

Bicester Chairman Jock Murray pictured with National VP Richard and Olympic Champion, Tim Foster. (Tim is in the middle if the Gold Medal and Table Jewels are confusing!)