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Team USA Paralympic athlete visits UEL

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Lex Gillette

One of Team USA’s leading medal hopes for this summer’s Paralympic Games paid a special visit to the University of East London this week.

Lex Gillette, who is a totally blind track and field athlete, has achieved a world record, two Paralympic silver medals, eight American records and twelve national championships.

At the tender age of eight, Lex started experiencing problems with his eyesight, and was diagnosed with retinal detachment. Despite 10 separate operations, Lex never regained his sight.

Speaking to a special reception of staff and young people from schools in Newham, Lex offered an inspirational account of how he has overcome adversity to become a top paralympic athlete. Lex Won silver medals in the long jump at both the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens and 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. Last year, Lex broke a 19-year-old world record in the long jump for totally blind athletes at the Desert Challenge Games in Arizona.

Lex, who will be vying for a multiple haul of medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games, said: “This was an incredible opportunity to come out and speak to all of the students and staff. I am really looking forward to the London 2012 Games; there’s a passion in me to do well.”

UEL’s Docklands and Stratford Campuses will be Team USA’s main base for athlete training, performance services, staff and training partner accommodation, catering, media and logistical operations. Approximately 1,000 Team USA athletes and staff will use UEL’s new £21million state of the art SportsDock during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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