Laviai and Lina Nielsen are spearheading a revolutionary sprinting initiative in London, collaborating with legendary coach Tony Lester to build Britain’s leading sprint training hub.
After years of competing and training abroad, Olympic 4x400m bronze medalists Laviai and Lina Nielsen have returned to their home city with a mission to change the face of British sprinting. Based at Brunel University, their ambitious project seeks to establish a world-class training environment that not only raises their performances but also sets a benchmark for sprinting excellence in the UK.
“We didn’t want to leave the UK in the first place,” explains Laviai. “But the lack of suitable coaching options and training partners pushed us abroad. Now, we want to create an elite setup here in London to stop other athletes from having to make the same choice.”
Filling the Void in UK Athletics Coaching
Their journey abroad—spanning Florida, Austria, and Denmark—highlighted a troubling issue: the lack of elite coaching options in Britain. This challenge is underscored by the fact that all five female sprinters currently on top-level UK Athletics funding are based overseas.
Tony Lester, the Nielsens’ coach, is determined to reverse this trend. A former national coach with a resume that includes Olympic and World Championship medalists, Lester’s experience spans decades and continents. But his frustration with the lack of investment in British coaching is palpable.
“The issue isn’t talent—it’s support,” Lester says. “UK coaches aren’t bad, but they’re not given the tools to succeed. There’s no structured education, no workshops, no investment in their development. Meanwhile, athletes leave for better opportunities abroad because staying here isn’t viable.”
Lester’s mission is clear: to create a UK-based sprint training hub that rivals the elite groups in the US and Europe. With the Nielsens, as well as Olympians Ama Pipi, Niclas Baker, and Ireland’s Sharlene Mawdsley, already on board, the foundations of this vision are taking shape.
Building Britain’s First Sprint Powerhouse
The group’s approach draws inspiration from successful international training setups, including the middle-distance-focused M11 Track Club, led by Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows. This group has produced stars like Keely Hodgkinson, who won silver at the Paris Olympics. Lester aims to replicate that success for sprinters, establishing a sustainable system that nurtures talent domestically.
“Trevor’s work is phenomenal,” Lester acknowledges. “But he had to build it all from the ground up, without support from UK Athletics. We want to take that blueprint and create something just as impactful for sprinters.”
The Nielsens’ decision to return to London was further solidified by a personal turning point for Lester. While coaching in Denmark, he suffered a cardiac arrest during training. Thanks to the swift actions of those on-site, his life was saved. The experience reinforced his resolve to return home and focus on his family and this groundbreaking project.
“I’m here for a reason,” says Lester. “And that reason is to make a difference.”
Transforming London into a Global Sprinting Hub
As preparations ramp up for the official launch in January, the Nielsens and Lester are more committed than ever to their vision. Their hope is not just to win medals but to build a legacy that inspires a new generation of British sprinters to pursue greatness without leaving home.
“We want London to be the heart of British sprinting,” says Lina. “A place where athletes can find the best coaching, training partners, and support to reach their full potential.”
With their sights set on transforming British athletics, the Nielsen twins and their team at Brunel University are paving the way for a new era of sprinting success. Their story is one of resilience, ambition, and a steadfast belief in the potential of homegrown talent.
