A BASINGSTOKE ice skating coach has added some priceless letters to the end of his name

In recognition of his achievement of competing at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, Andrew Place is now Andrew Place OLY to signify his ongoing role as an Olympian, living and promoting the Olympic values.

In addition to competing at the Olympics, he was a competitor at three European Championships and two World Championships.

On his return to Basingstoke as a coach, he started working with Ronald Duncan, an adult skater with a winter sports background and it turned out that Andrew and Ronald both competed at the same Winter Olympics for Team GB but had never previously met: Andrew in ice dance and Ronald in skiing.

Ronald competed in two Olympics, 1988 in Calgary and again in 1992 in Albertville as a downhill and super G skier.

Andrew said, "I've always worked to instill Olympic values in all my skaters: when we started to work together, it was clear we worked the same way with the same mindset.

"It wasn't a complete surprise to find he was at the same Winter Olympics I was at. It's great to have the recognition from the World Olympians Association and be able to inspire some hopeful future Olympians, as well as guide a former one, through my coaching career.

"Very few people can reach the summit of an Olympics but everyone can live by and benefit from Olympic values"

Andrew is part of the coaching team delivering Planet Ice's learn to skate programme, Skate Excellence, which runs Saturday and Sunday mornings, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons.

For further details about the scheme, email Anita Curtis at basingstoke@planet-ice.co.uk.