THE SPORTING life was over for Bruce Richardson when he and his wife Kathy decided to retire to Cyprus last year.

But the former Kendal Town FC physio- therapist found that it's not so easy to shake off your past and when the Great Britain Olympic training camp moved on to the island it was not long before he was back in the middle of the action.

The GB squad was based at Peyia Stadium, not far from Bruce and Kathy's new home, and it was an obvious step with their background to sign up as members of the Team GB Cyprus volunteers programme, Bruce said: "Imagine our surprise when Ian Irwin (the Ambleside-based GB boxing manager), another 'local lad' arrived at the stadium with Amir Khan and his team of sparring partners, a great bunch of lads.

"We are having a fantastic time and feel very privileged to have been part of the GB Olympic training programme.

"It has been a wonderful opportunity for us to meet so many sporting legends such as Steve Redgrave, Sharron Davies, Sally Gunnell, Steve Cram, Audley Harrison as well as the present-day stars who are taking part in the Athens Games."

Most of the GB squad has been on the island including swimmers, athletes, judo, boxing, taekwondo, archery, cycling, badminton, sailing and other competitors.

In all, over 400 people including HQ staff, coaches and officials were in Cyprus, staying mainly at the Coral Bay Beach Hotel, where an Olympic-size pool was built in ten weeks.

The hotel is also used as a holding camp to which the athletes fly back between events.

Many of the athletics team have trained at Peyia stadium which is situated at a small village in the hills, five minutes from Coral Bay.

Added Bruce: "Our role as part of the volunteer team is to ensure that things run smoothly for the athletes in the stadium. This includes setting up equipment in the gymnasium and on the track.

"Ice baths have to be filled, sand raked and the supply of sufficient drinks ensured at venues.

"There is also ensuring that no access is allowed without accreditation, which is often difficult as locals, tourists and the press are understandably curious as to who is training on any particular day.

"Since early August, Kathy and I have worked from early morning most days. It's sometimes difficult in the high temperatures at present but we wouldn't have missed it for the world."

The British Olympic Association has signed a ten-year agreement to use Cyprus as a training camp and have asked us to consider becoming involved in the future.

Bruce joked: "Who said retirement was a time for relaxation, I wish!

"The Paralympic team are here next so watch this space."