A SERIES of Olympic-themed events are being held at Essex University next week, with Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls displaying their talents.

Paralympic javelin thrower and student Scott Moorhouse and Olympic speed-walking hopeful Dominic King are among those performing at the event.

The sporting events will be accompanied by talks by academics on a range of issues around the Games.

Director of Sport David Williams said: “The university has been involved in the build up to London 2012 for several years and this week gives us a chance to showcase some of the expertise and talent we have here.

“We hope the activities will capture people's interest and inspire them to become more involved as the Games approach.”

All events are open to the public and run between 1-2pm. Sports events are at the university's Sports Centre and the talks in the Lecture Theatre Block.

Diary of events

Monday April 30: Frisbee golf challenge and talk by Dr Valerie Gladwell from the biological sciences school on “Five things to make you a successful athlete”.

Tuesday May 1: Wheelchair basketball display and have a go and Professor Todd Landman from the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolution on Olympic Dream Maps.

Wednesday May 2: Colchester's Coach of the Year Gordon Charlesworth from the University's Amateur Boxing Club will be showing how to dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee while Dr Matthew Taylor from the School of Biological Sciences will be asking “What makes Bolt run so fast?”

Thursday May 3: Paralympian javelin thrower and university student Scott Moorhouse will demonstrate his skills and Dr Pete Fussey from the Department of Sociology will report on security and the Olympics.

Friday May 4: Top race-walker and aspiring Olympian Dominic King will be in action and Jess Kenny looks at art and the Olympics.