“In recent years Tony Lester has proved to be a valuable asset to my athletics career, both as coach and mentor”
Denise Lewis
“I would not have won an Olympic Medal without the help of Tony Lester”
Roger Black M.B.E.
Presently employed by athletic’s governing body UK Athletics, Tony Lester strives to transform many of Great Britain’s current batch of world-class talent. He has the enviable task of preparing athletes for the 2004 Olympic Games - Tim Benjamin, 400m European Under 23 Silver Medallist and current British number one, Marlon Devonish, World Indoor 200m Champion and Abiodun Oyepitan, current British number one female sprinter over 100m and 200m. A challenge, which he has risen to in the past, by helping Roger Black to his 1996 Olympic Silver medal.
Tony served 12 years in the Medical Corps where his interest in coaching began. After active service in the first Gulf War, he left the Army. Taking a job as a medical sales rep before taking a security officer’s job, working for the Dubai Royal family. A year later he was promoted to head up their considerable security operation as their Head of Security.
Tony continued to coach part-time throughout his employment, to the extent that the Dubai Royal Family paid for him to pursue further coaching qualifications.
In 1996 he helped Roger Black to Olympic silver. Tony was suddenly an overnight success and still continues to be so. In 1998 he coached Mark Richardson to be the second fastest in the world behind the infamous Michael Johnson. Alongside Roger, Mark is the joint second fastest Briton of all time.
He has no doubt his career hinges on the strength of the characters he is coaching. “All the guys on the start line have the same amount of talent. It’s all about attitude and preparation – that’s what makes the difference,” he says.
Today, Tony continues to inspire and educate athletes and organisations. Helping them to make the positive changes in their attitude and lifestyle to achieve their full potential.
Presently employed by athletics’ governing body UK Athletics, Tony Lester strives to transform many of Great Britain’s current batch of world-class talent. He has the enviable task of preparing athletes for the 2004 Olympic Games. |
