Marathon man joins flotilla for opening
London Marathon co-founder John Disley has spoken of his pride at getting to ride on a boat bearing his name that will help the Olympic flame to the opening ceremony.
Mr Disley’s first trip on the John Disley, a four-man Rosalind skiff, will be when it is part of the London 2012 flotilla.
It will sail on the River Thames among 40 small boats accompanying the flame from Hampton Court to Richmond Bridge on the day the Games open.
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Hide Ad“I am looking forward to it and also to being able to tell my grandchildren that I have been a part of it,” said Mr Disley, 83.
Mr Disley, who was a 1952 Olympic steeplechase bronze medallist, and Chris Brasher remortgaged their homes to set up the London Marathon.
It is now the world’s largest annual fundraising event – runners have raised more than £500m since it began in 1981.