Blues chief executive Simon Clegg has been named the official Olympic attaché for the Pacific island of Guam, who are sending six athletes to this summer’s Games in London. Clegg, who prior to joining the Blues in 2009 had spent 20 years and 12 summer and winter Games with the BOA as deputy general secretary and then chief executive, says he’s looking forward to enjoying this Olympics without the responsibilities that were his at previous Games.
The Town chief, who led Team GB to 47 medals - 19 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze — in Beijing as chef de mission four years ago, was involved with the 2012 bid from the start and was amongst those to sign the contract giving the Games to London.
His involvement with Guam means he will receive an access all areas pass having previously had no entitlement to tickets for the Games.
Clegg explained his role to the Daily Telegraph: "I’m still friendly with a lot of people in the Olympic movement — international colleagues that I’ve known for 20 years. One of those colleagues kindly gave the opportunity to be the official Olympic attaché for Guam.
"It’s not particularly demanding because obviously they are a small country with a tiny team and I will do whatever I can to support during the build-up and will continue to do so during the Games.
"The kind of jobs involved are speaking to people about uniforms, doing some work on the vehicles for them, and they’ve asked me to organise a team reception for them.”
The 52-year-old, who remains an athlete commission member at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), told TWTD that Town will be his main focus over the summer despite his obvious interest in the Games: "I think it will be a great event and I’m privileged that I played some small role in bringing them here. My priority is here at the football club but I’m sure I’ll get down for a few events.
"It’ll be quite exciting to see some events without having the pressure of managing 305 two-legged athletes and 18 four-legged athletes.”
Clegg says he plans to watch Blues central defender Tommy Smith in action with New Zealand: "I have spoken to Tommy and have said that I’ll endeavour to catch up with him at some of the football games.”
The Town chief executive dismisses widespread rumours that he will move on from Portman Road once the Olympics — for which Town owner Marcus Evans is the authorised ticket reseller for Ireland, Greece and Malta — are over: "It would be news to me.
"I’m still incredibly committed to this club, I’m still very ambitious for it and I want to enjoy some success with the club.”