Dartford sprinter Adam Gemili swaps Tokyo Olympics for Alzheimer's memory walk
An Olympic sprinter traded his gold medal hopes for a an Alzheimer's memory walk.
GB athlete Adam Gemili, from Dartford, took part in the charity walk on Friday at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
It coincided with what have been the day of the 100m relay final of the now postponed Tokyo games and a week before his next competition in Monaco.
So, instead of sprinting for gold the 26-year-old did his bit for a charity close to his heart after his grandmother was diagnosed with dementia.
Adam said: “I’m really proud to be supporting Alzheimer’s Society’s Memory Walks, it’s still a bitter-sweet moment being in front of London’s Olympic Rings on the day of the race I’ve spent the past four years training for, but coronavirus has forced us all to put things into perspective and I’m now focused on preparing as much as I can before I head to Tokyo next year.
“After my grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, it really opened my eyes to how the disease can affect the whole family and it’s not been an easy journey.
"This is an incredibly hard time for people with dementia, and for family carers, and they need our help now more than ever.
"The money you raise from taking part in a memory walk will go towards helping the charity reach even more people through its Dementia Connect Support Line.”
Christine Seddon, a family carer based in London, explained being able to share her experiences with Adam has been really helpful.
She said: "The whole experience of having a family member being diagnosed with dementia is life changing and it can be very hard to keep your spirits up day to day.
"Being able to share my experiences with someone like Adam who is going through a similar experience of caring for a family member with dementia during lockdown, which has been even more challenging, was a real privilege."
Chief exectuive of the Alzheimer's Society Kate Lee added: "Adam and Christine are two people from completely different walks of life who are united by the devastation of dementia. There are thousands more who have been left severely impacted by coronavirus and our services have never been more needed.
“We are incredibly grateful for Adam’s support and to everyone who signs up to complete their own memory walk this year.
"Wherever you choose to walk, with one single step, you can help us support anyone affected by dementia, whoever they are and whatever they are going through.”
To sign up and find out more information, visit here.