Mark Foster's blog by Mark_Foster

Well this week has been an exciting one starting, with me being awarded an Honorary Degree from Anglia Ruskin University and indeed what an honour it was. Considering that I was not much of an academic at school, I find myself at this stage of my life becoming a Doctor of Health Sciences. What a proud day for me and especially my mum (see piccie), who often used to despair of me and my performances at school. It's true, I looked at all the undergraduates at the university receiving their degrees after slogging for three years and those receiving doctorates after a staggering 7 years, and thought, do I deserve this? But my friends have pointed out that after 20 years of intense training and promoting healthy living and sport around the country, perhaps I have put my time in. 

Nevertheless, I was very proud and humbled to be recognised in this way and I have to say there are a few of my old teachers from school (who were less that complimentary about my abilities) who’d be shocked to see me wearing a graduate gown and mortar. And it wasn't just me. I was just the warm up act, because the following day a doctorate was awarded to none other than Kylie Minogue. The 43-year-old collected an honorary Doctorate of Health Sciences in recognition of her work promoting breast cancer awareness after battling the disease. And novelist Jilly Cooper (See piccie below) was also there when I was and she received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters for services to journalism and literature.It's funny, no matter what success you achieve out in the world, finally getting recognition from an educational institution is the one thing you know that will really make your parents proud.

To follow that, a very good friend of mine Iain Thwaites, facilitated an apprentice day for the people who work with the charity Sport Relief. The venue was Twickenham, which was very appropriate as it tied in nicely with the Rugby World Cup which is on at the moment. The candidates' task was to think up business ideas to use around the Olympics They were split up into 20 groups of 5 and Zac Purchase and myself had to judge their ideas. (What the bloody hell do I know?!!) Each team had to present their idea and I only had to judge the top four as the initial selection was made by another panel. They all had great vision and great passion and all with an Olympic/sports theme and some were really funny. The winner was Olympic lunch boxes, with lots of accessories inside which was a pretty cool idea. Let's see if Alan Sugar uses it on his show this year! Mind you, I did like the App Moose V Human!!

And so to the 2012 School Games. For any chance to (a) get in the Olympic Pool and (b) help raise awareness and participation in sport at grass roots level, I’m in. The School Games aims to be much more than competitive school sport - our aspiration is to support all young people to achieve their personal best in sport and in life. With London 2012 fast approaching, now is the time to harness the unique power and energy of the world's greatest sporting event to motivate all young people. So I raced a few up and coming stars from all over London and they gave me a run for my money, well I think I was beaten, and I am not used to this!! To find out more register your school at the website. 

Then it was the BOA Olympic Ball. This was an extravagant meeting of the great and the good in sport and a chance to catch up with some old mates and there were so many of them there. The entertainment was lavish, featuring Tinchy Stryder , Dappy and topped off with Tom Jones no less. The evening was hosted by Stephen Fry and Miranda Hart and Rory Bremner did a cameo. The Olympic Ball was established to raise funds to provide kit and support for Team GB athletes and give them the best start at London 2012. I hope you all don't get bored hearing about the Olympics as it's going to be a weekly feature from now on.

The event took place at Olympia in West London, which is a huge venue, and I mean huge, with 2300 guests! I have been to lots of balls, but never one quite this big. The great and the good from Olympic sport were there to host tables and join in the fundraising. Can I say a huge thank you to David and Yelda who sponsored my table and for being such great hosts. The following day I was due to appear in Bangor at the Masters swim event, but when I woke up in the morning, I’d been struck down by man flu. I kid you not I was feverish and feeling incoherent and bunged up. I decided to get the train rather than drive, but on arrival at the station I felt so bad, all I could do was turn around and crawl back into bed. I was really sorry to do this especially at the last minute as I love these events. They celebrate grass roots swimming which is a cause very close to my heart. But honestly guys I really couldn't make it and I will try to make it up to you all at a later date. I am feeling better now though and looking forward to another eventful week ahead. Have a good weekend!