Buck makes switch to Loughborough

North Yorkshire 400m runner Richard Buck has moved to the high-performance centre in Loughborough to improve his chances of making the 2012 Olympics.

The 22-year-old has left his previous base in Leeds and will spend the next three years in the East Midlands.

Buck told BBC Radio York: "After I'd talked with the coaches, we all agreed it would be in my best interests to come down here to really focus on 2012.

"Being a professional athlete now, I needed to get into the professional setting that UK Athletics are offering."

Buck's former coach, Geoff Barraclough added: "I'm not upset about it, he's with the right people now.

"It is scary and I'm a bit nervous, but at the same time I'm looking forward to the experience"

"I've taken him as far as being a member of the Olympic team. He now has a really good opportunity to show what he really can do."

Buck, a former United Kingdom indoor champion, will now receive personal coaching from Russian sprint expert Michael Khmel.

"It's not so much the facilities that are better but the support team, the physios, sports psychologists and nutritionists," said Buck.

"It's not a time to be sitting around and just hoping things are going to come together, you've got to be pro-active and make sure they come together.

"So few people get these opportunities that when they come along, I couldn't turn it down."

The Pickering athlete will also receive funding which would not have been available had he stayed at Leeds.

"The funding's not brilliant but it's massively helpful and is giving me access to the medical side and the sports scientists as well," added Buck.

"It's really exciting, scary and I'm a bit nervous. It's all new territory for me, but at the same time I'm looking forward to the experience."

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