George Bristow is off to Weymouth as an Olympic volunteer. Picture by Peter Boam.
INSPIRED by his grandfather’s legacy, a pub landlord will start work as an Olympic volunteer this week.
George Bristow, 50, landlord at The Pilot Boat Inn, Bembridge, wanted to become an Olympic volunteer at London 2012 because his late grandfather, Lord Luke, was the British member of the International Olympic Committee for 40 years.
Lord Luke handed over the role to Princess Anne in 1985 but George always hoped to be part of the Olympics when London was announced as its host.
His official role, as a national Olympic committee assistant, will be to look after the Swedish sailing team in Weymouth.
George, who will spend five weeks in Weymouth, said: "I know my grandfather would have loved having the Olympics in this country and he would have wanted one of his offspring to be involved.
"I am inspired by his legacy and I am really looking forward to it."
George’s wife, Juliet, will hold the fort at the Pilot Boat Inn while he is in Weymouth, although he hopes to return to the Island for two days a week.
Reporter: mattw@iwcpmail.co.uk