The result is an unprecedented newspaper poster image of all the selected athletes as they embark on their quest for success at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The single image was created with the support of the BOA over a six week period as the athletes went through the Team GB preparation camp in Loughborough in June and July. Three photographers from the Daily Mail and the imaging department of the Daily Telegraph, supported by the BOA, the Newspaper Publishers Association, the trade association of British national newspapers, worked on the project which concluded when the last of the athletes went through the BOA camp earlier this week.
The national newspapers were keen to embark on the project to give backing to the entire team via a poster image which will be given to all athletes as a momento.
Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: “A massive amount of work has gone into piecing together this historical picture and it was undertaken principally by the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph. We believe this will become a collectable for fans and autograph hunters as well as a photo to frame for Team GB athletes and their families and friends. We are very grateful for the support British national newspapers and athletes have given to this project.”
The original concept for the big Team GB ‘school photo’ came from Andy Hooper, Daily Mail sport photographer, who hoped to take one photograph when all athletes were together.
The NPA’s Andrew Moger said: ‘When it emerged that athletes would be at preparation camp in small groups over nearly 40 days the scale of the project grew enormously, but so did the commitment to rise to the challenge. What was significant was way the athletes got behind our team and in the end they were vying to get in front of the camera and turn up with their sporting paraphernalia which can be spotted within the single image.’
The photographic team consisted of Hooper, Georgie Gillard and Lucy Ray who sent a daily flow of single images and group shots to Daily Telegraph imaging team led by Paul Shorey. A special stand was built to ensure the athletes were photographed in fixed positions so lighting would be consistent. File images of a few athletes who could not make it to the preparation camp were added digitally.
Andy Hooper said: ‘We’re really pleased with this final unique image which had to change frequently as the BOA made its ultimate team selection. We’re indebted to the BOA for allowing us to do this and to the athletes for their willingness and patience in front of the camera. We hope that the image will give them one extra piece of team-bonding boost before each of them has their day in the Olympic limelight’.
About the NPA
Its current members are Associated Newspapers, Financial Times, Guardian News & Media, Independent Print Limited, MGN (Trinity Mirror national titles), News International Ltd and Telegraph Media Group.
