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British ace Sophie Johnstone
has joined an elite band of 2012 Olympic hopefuls who have been
selected to be part of the Coca Cola Academy of Excellence.
The 25-year-old, a product
of Lewes Bridgeview Judo Club, was handpicked by the world famous
soft drink manufacturers to join 10 athletes from different sports
in their new Academy.
The young athletes will
receive 10 days of work experience with the company and mentoring
from former elite sports names in the lead up to the Olympic Games.
Coca Cola , who were the first commercial sponsor of the Olympics
at the 1928 Games, are commercial partners for London’s anticipated
instalment.
Sophie, who’s currently
out of action after undergoing knee surgery in April, has already
had her first week of work experience.
“I think they want to show
you all the different areas of the company,” said the 2009 GB
World Cup bronze medallist.
“I’ve done my first week
already, which was in a sales role in the South East office in
Poyle. That went really well, it was quite intense as I wasn’t
sure what to expect. I learned the nine steps a sales rep would
learn and I passed an exam they prepared so that was good.”
The under 52kg star has
also been involved with conferences to keep staff apprised of
her activities as she bids for Olympic success.
“As it’s two years out
from the Olympics Coca Cola are hosting conferences with their
employees to try and engage them and I did one on Monday in London
with 300 employees.
“I’m doing another one
next week which is part of the contract and my next work experience
is in November.”
The British star is taking
part in the Academy while continuing her recovery from major surgery.
“I’d been selected for
the European Champions and it was upsetting to miss out through
injury but obviously I needed to have an ACL (anterior cruciate
ligament) reconstruction on my knee. I think the Coca Cola Academy
has come along at a good time as it gives me another focus.
“The week after the operation
I did two quite intense weeks of rehab at Bisham Abbey. I’ve gradually
been building over the last three months, I have the physiotherapists
at Dartford but I’m a long way from coming back because of the
demands of the sport.”
The Camberley Judo Club
star, a full-time club member for five years, has counted on the
support of her coach Luke Preston and team-mates.
“Their support has been
absolutely invaluable, especially over the last few months.
“I’m looking at nine months
between surgery and my first competition back. There’s a long
way to go, I want to be back for the British trials in January,
that’s my goal.”
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