OPTOMETRIST Paul Adler has been chosen to help British athletes focus on winning at the forthcoming Beijing Olympics. Paul, aged 52, of St Stephens Avenue, St Albans, has been appointed vision performance consultant to the British Olympic team. His job wi

OPTOMETRIST Paul Adler has been chosen to help British athletes focus on winning at the forthcoming Beijing Olympics.

Paul, aged 52, of St Stephens Avenue, St Albans, has been appointed vision performance consultant to the British Olympic team.

His job will be to improve the eyesight of any athletes who are found to be deficient at focusing, hand-eye co-ordination, visual memory and reaction time.

Paul is part of the British Olympic Vision Assessment Programme that was introduced by ex-England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward after being appointed director of elite performance at The British Olympic Association.

Training

Sir Clive has strongly supported vision training for athletes after the success he had using it on his 2004 World Cup-winning rugby players.

Paul said the vision assessment programme could give athletes a vital edge which was often the difference between success and failure at the top level.

The assessment begins when optometrists give athletes a series of tests to check aspects of an athlete's vision.

If they have any deficiencies, Paul will give them remedial exercises to do while monitoring their performances to improve them.

Paul, who will not be going to China, is at present helping one of the men in the Olympic judo team.

He said: "Vision performance in sport is so important but so often neglected. But thanks to the support of Sir Clive Woodward this philosophy will be used for our athletes."

Paul has his own practice, Eyezone, in Abbey Avenue, St Albans, and another in Letchworth. He is married with a son and daughter.