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Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Part of Stay Ahead of the Games UK in Ukraine

16th November 2011

Ukraine on the way to London 2012

Combine hundreds of enthusiastic schoolchildren, top sporting figures signing autographs, music and razzmatazz and you’re guaranteed a lively event.  This was the scene at the “Ukrainian House” on 15 November when the All-Ukrainian campaign “On the way to London” was launched in central Kyiv.

I won’t say too much about the event because you can read all about it on the embassy website.  But it was exciting to see so much energy; so many famous Olympic athletes; and so many good ideas for engaging young people in sport. On some measures, Ukraine is the most successful CIS country in Olympic sport.  It will be good to see the Ukrainian team in London next year.

Among the good ideas was this embassy’s very own Olympic sports quiz (link in Ukrainian only).  The competition is still open.  So take part now for a chance to win great London 2012-related prizes.


Launch of the All-Ukrainian campaign “On the way to London.”

1 comment on “Ukraine on the way to London 2012”

  1. It was nice to read an article about Olympic games in London next year.I am adore your engagement in Ukrainian art life& Igor Haidai exibits. By the way it was fun to remember my personal expirience to pant few pictures for British Embassy include the portrait her Majesty the Qveen.
    Best regards. Alex Lerman.

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About Leigh Turner

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of…

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of the UN and other organisations; stories here will reflect that.

About me: I arrived in Vienna in August 2016 for my second posting in this wonderful city, having first served here in the mid-1980s. My previous job was as HM Consul-General and Director-General for Trade and Investment for Turkey, Central Asia and South Caucasus based in Istanbul.

Further back: I grew up in Nigeria, Exeter, Lesotho, Swaziland and Manchester before attending Cambridge University 1976-79. I worked in several government departments before joining the Foreign Office in 1983.

Keen to go to Africa and South America, I’ve had postings in Vienna (twice), Moscow, Bonn, Berlin, Kyiv and Istanbul, plus jobs in London ranging from the EU Budget to the British Overseas Territories.

2002-6 I was lucky enough to spend four years in Berlin running the house, looking after the children (born 1992 and 1994) and doing some writing and journalism.

To return to Vienna as ambassador is a privilege and a pleasure. I hope this blog reflects that.

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London 2012 Olympics On the way to London paralympics Sport

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