| WALTHAM FOREST |  | | | WANSTEAD/WOODFORD | | | EPPING FOREST | | | | FEATURES | | | LEYTON ORIENT | | |
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Hot Rod shines
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| Rob Butler who will run in the London Olympic torch |
Race of light on Olympic trail as Rod takes the torch
A LOCAL karate instructor has been chosen to run in the London Olympic torch
relay.
Rod Butler, who leads several Shotokan karate clubs in the borough, will be
one of 140 torchbearers on the 48km route which winds through London on
Saturday, June 26.
London is one of 34 cities participating in the global Olympic torch relay
which celebrates the homecoming of the Olympic Games to Athens in July.
Mr Butler will join famous sporting personalities including Roger
Bannister, Frank Bruno and Tim Henman on the route which starts at Wimbledon
and finishes in the Mall in central London.
Sponsor Coca-Cola said it picked Mr Butler for his embodiment of the
Olympic spirit.
Tim Wilkinson, communications director for Coca-Cola, said: "We were
searching for individuals to be escort runners who particularly stood out
from the crowd; people who had demonstrated commitment and inspired others
around them."
Mr Butler started a karate club in Waltham Forest College 20 years ago,
with classes now held in Rush Croft School, Larkswood Leisure Centre and
Wanstead and Enfield.
His clubs are often visited by karate enthusiasts from across the world to
take part in training.
Mr Butler said: "I am proud to be involved in the launch of the 2004
Olympic torch relay, it will be something that I'll always remember.
He added: "It would be great to see karate in the Olympic games and I am
sure one day it will be."
Mr Butler has also achieved a lifelong ambition this year with the
publication of his first book in July, a biography of world karate legend
Keinosuke Enoeda.
9:18pm Wednesday 9th June 2004
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