London 2012 Olympics: GB weightlifter Oliver gets balance right

Missing out on some of the more stereotypical aspects of university life doesn’t bother weightlifter Jack Oliver, who has balanced his class work with earning a place at London 2012.

The 21-year-old, who is in his third year at the University of Leeds studying classics, will this week take to the platform in an Olympic Games for the first time.

Sidcup-born Oliver, who competes in the 77kg category, admits he gets little free time between studying and training, not that he minds.

“My university have been really supportive of me,” he said. “They have moved some of my exams around and helped me when I have coursework deadlines if I am away competing.

“At the end of next year I will have a degree and I will be able to say I have competed at an Olympic Games so it could’t have worked out better for me.

“I don’t go out or drink or anything like that. I go into university, do my lessons and then come back. I’m the first one to get to the classroom and try to be the first one out.

“I don’t really get much free time. If I’m lucky I get a bit of time on a Sunday that I spend with my girlfriend but other than that it is university work or training.

“I don’t mind doing it because I know that I’m the one who gets to come to the Olympic Games.

“Who cares if you only get a few hours free time at a weekend? It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and you would be stupid to miss out on it.”

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