Tetbury physio's London 2012 honour (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tetbury physiotherapist Elaine Kirton has volunteered for the London 2012 Olympic Games

3:00pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in News

A PHYSIOTHERAPIST from Tetbury is helping to keep the world's top athletes nimble.

Elaine Kirton, 40 who is based at Dursley's Courtyard Clinic, will be joining 70,000 volunteers from across the country who are giving up their time to enjoy an experience of a life time by helping out at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

For the next two weeks Elaine will be venue physiotherapist for the beach volleyball and the indoor volleyball, covering training and matches at both Horse Guards Parade and Earls Court in the capital.

Elaine is no stranger to top sporting events. She volunteered for the 2004 Athens Games, and was also at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

However, Elaine, who also works for the British Army as a physiotherapist at Hullavington and South Cerney barracks, said getting to the London Olympics was a privilege.

She said: "I'm from London originally and I'm very patriotic. I just think it's a privilege to be working at the Olympics in London.

"Because of my work with the Army I really wanted to be at Horse Guards Parade, so that will have extra meaning for me."

Tetbury physiotherapist Elaine Kirton

"Because of my work with the Army I really wanted to be at Horse Guards Parade, so that will have extra meaning for me."

Getting to the Olympics has been a long wait for Elaine, who first applied in late 2010. Since then she has been through various interviews and had to complete several application forms to be successful.

She said: "I'll be working long shifts and it's going to be quite busy but I think there's going to be a real buzz about the place."

Elaine is also a sportswoman herself having completed the Clipper 09/10 Round the World Yacht Race and raced at the Women's Henley Regatta.