I’m very process driven so I’ve never seen it as something that’s unrealistic but equally I’ve always been working hard at getting there.”
After rising through the ranks of the youth classes and national team, Elliot represented Great Britain at the 2020 Laser European Championships, in Gdansk, where he took gold. An amazing moment, made even more special by the fact that he was joined on the podium by his Team GB cohorts and childhood friends, Michael Beckett (silver) and Lorenzo Chiavirini (bronze). This is the first time ever that Britain has locked out a podium at a Laser Class championship, heralding a golden era for Team GB. “We’ve been sailing together since we were in the under 11s and we’ve all been pushing each other since 2006”, he recalls.
“But ultimately, in Olympic sailing there is only one representative per nation, it’s always at the back of your mind."
On this occasion, Elliot’s gold-medal win was enough to secure his place in the Games and this, he says, has only made his focus intensify. But being selected is only part of the journey. Olympic sailing is funded by UK Sport and the National Lottery. However, athletes are only funded to 75% of their total costs. This left Elliot with a shortfall of around £20,000. He therefore came up with the ‘20 for 2020’ fundraising initiative where he sought to bring 20 individuals together to reach the target. With each person donating £1000 they would receive behind-the-scenes updates on training and preparations and the chance to win Olympic gear.
28 | FEATURE
This is where the UK cleaning industry came together, as leaders from some of the biggest names in the sector stepped up to offer support.
Opus Business Media Managing Director Mark Hanson said: “When asked by Elliot if I could help him raise £20,000 for his 20 for 20 initiative to assist him in his campaign to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics, I drew up a list of names who had helped him during his journey to become an Olympian and those that had often asked me how he was getting on.
“I am deeply appreciative of cleaning industry friends that decided to help. My heartfelt thanks go out to Richard Dyson at Greyland, Darren Marston at Industrial Cleaning Equipment, Andrew Staples formerly of Staples Disposables, Paul Wonnacott at Vectair Systems and Nina Wyers of The Floorbrite Group. Without their help Elliot would have been disadvantaged. I believe that with this help from the cleaning industry, Elliot now has the opportunity to meet his goal at the Tokyo Olympics."
Giving thanks to his industry backers, Elliot said: “I’ve worked hard to be selected for the Olympics this summer but it’s true that I wouldn’t have come close if it weren’t for the support I’ve had around me from a young age.
“I’m forever grateful to those who've supported me from the industry as a youngster, and who've backed me all the way to the Olympic podium in Tokyo.
“Their support has allowed me to go the extra mile in my preparations, leaving no stone unturned. For that, I want to take this opportunity to thank them and wish them fair winds until we can meet again to share the story.”
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70
