London's Peter Bakare plays for the GB men's volleyball squad

London 2012: Bakare helping to make Olympic history as GB hit the volleyball court

Thursday, July 26, 2012
2:59 PM

Newham volleyball star Peter Bakare will making history at the Olympics

Canning Town’s Peter Bakare admits the opportunity to write not just his own future, but that of volleyball in Great Britain, is what excites him most as he creeps ever closer to London 2012.

The 23-year-old will be making history in the capital this summer whatever happens, as he will take to Earls Court as part of the first Great Britain men’s team to compete in the Olympics.

And while this means there will be pressure on the young Londoner’s shoulders, the chance to blaze a trail of his own is what is getting him through the tough training sessions.

Great Britain’s men’s team kick things off against Bulgaria before going on to face Australia, Italy, Poland and Argentina.

Bakare might not have a yardstick to measure up against, but he is adamant he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’re making history,” said Bakare, who benefits from being on the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme. “We’re the first volleyball team to make the Olympics and I feel there’s nothing against us.

“There’s no past to say anything and we can make a future. We can just go out and do what we can out there.

“We want to make a legacy, as this is the first volleyball team in the Olympics and it is a growing sport. There are people that know about it and play, but we want a lot more people to play more.

“In volleyball our goal is to win two games and make it to the quarter-finals and from then on, who knows? It’s a practical goal and we want to achieve it.”

Bakare will be in familiar surroundings this summer and he is hoping his homecoming is one to celebrate.

“I’m from Canning Town, which is very close to Stratford. Going to the Games wasn’t in the script at all,” he added.

“My family have got tickets now for the Games and they’re just thrilled to see me play.

“They actually haven’t seen me play volleyball before and it would be the first time, so it’s not a bad stage for that to happen.”

■ Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, provides support and funding to 346 of Britain’s most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond.

Since 2008, the programme has supported 1,000 athletes. Follow future stars at facebook.com/lloydstsblocalheroes