Olympic officials scupper Kilburn teenager’s perfect marathon mission ending
Runner’s dream of finshing his 12th race at the Olympic site in Stratford, east London, was vetoed by bosses
Olympic officials have dashed the hopes of a teenage fundraiser after they refused to allow him a dream finish to his marathon challenge.
Arthur Gallimore, 18, of Mortimer Crescent, Kilburn, was due to mark an outstanding achievement of running 12 marathons in 20 days by finishing his journey at the Olympic Park, in Stratford, last Saturday (21).
However, when he asked the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) for permission to run through the park towards the finishing line, he was told he would not be allowed because he was not raising money for a registered Olympic charity.
Instead, Mr Gallimore was forced to complete his journey at the border of the park.
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He said: “It was incredibly disappointing news. I put my heart and soul into taking on this challenge to raise money for a really worthwhile cause that I believe in.”
During the 310-mile trip, which began in Land’s End on April 2, Arthur raised nearly �6,000 for LimXpo, a charity that works to engage deprived Romanian children in education and activities to help them through life.
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He added: “I thought the Olympics were supposed to be about inspiring people to try harder and reach further and encourage people to achieve great things and help people, but they seem to be very caught up in their own bureaucracy.
“However, I am delighted to have raised the money.”
A spokesman for London 2012 said that as they had numerous requests from fundraisers it was fairer to support events which raised money for their chosen charities.
He added: “The Olympic Park is still a live construction site and as such it was not possible for the charity challenge to finish there.”
