Backdrops to success

"Britain United" is a collection of photographs showing 20 of our Olympic and Paralympic stars in settings that have inspired them. Here is marathon runner Liz Yelling on Branksome Beach in Poole, Dorset, where she trains.

Teenage triathlete Hollie Avil in her first classroom at Campion School in Northampton.

Triathlete Will Clarke grew up in Cambridge and still likes to relax on the River Cam.

Triple jumper Phillips Idowu played basketball on this court in Hackney, east London, as a child.

World junior taekwondo champion Aaron Cook has always enjoyed spending time in Alderley Edge woods, near his home in Cheshire.

Teenager Tom Daley first learnt to dive at Plymouth Hoe in Devon.

Marlon Devonish in front of Coventry Cathedral. He started sprinting in his hometown at the age of 16.

Long-distance star Mo Farah in Bushy Park, Middlesex. The 25-year-old grew up nearby in Hounslow after arriving from Somalia in 1993.

Modern pentathlete Heather Fell on Dartmoor in Devon. Horse riding here as a child was her inspiration for taking up the event.

Chris Hoy in the grounds of Edinburgh Castle. The Olympic champion grew up in the city and began cycling there when he was seven.

Athlete Christine Ohuruogu grew up in Stratford, east London, less than a mile from the site for the 2012 Olympics.

Swimmer Jo Jackson on the River Swale in Richmond, north Yorkshire. Her first swimming strokes were taken in a pool in the town.

Paralympian John McFall undertook rehab on the beaches of the Gower Peninsula after losing part of his leg eight years ago.

Cyclist Victoria Pendleton lives and trains in Manchester. The 27-year-old is a world and Commonwealth champion.

Boxer David Price won Commonwealth gold here, at St George's Hall in his home city of Liverpool, in 2007.

Paralympian Shelly Woods grew up in Blackpool and first tasted road racing there at the junior national championships.

Paralympic sailor Stephen Thomas relaxes with friends at Ogmore Castle in Bridgend, Wales.

Shanaze Reade in her home town of Crewe. She was crowned world BMX champion at her first attempt last year.

Pete Reed on the Thames, where he competed in the Boat Race for Oxford University in 2004 and 2005.

British javelin thrower Goldie Sayers on the high street in Newmarket. The "Britain United" exhibition is free to attend and takes place on London's South Bank from 1 August to 17 September. For more info go to www.london2012.com/adidas