Roald Bradstock, famously known as the “Olympic Picasso,” has a fascinating tale of weaving his passion for art into his athletic achievements. Married to Any Lab Test Now’s CEO, Clarissa Bradstock, he’s had the honor of enriching the brand’s visual appeal and showcasing the connection between health and creativity.
Olympic Background
Roald Bradstock is a two-time Olympic athlete who competed in javelin throwing at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988. His journey began with a distinctive and self-developed technique to work around his spina bifida birth defect. Spina bifida occurs when the neural tube doesn’t close properly during pregnancy, causing incomplete development of the spine. But Roald didn’t let this stop him from chasing his dreams. Throughout his career, he set world records for throwing various objects and became a javelin record holder. Despite facing health challenges, Bradstock continued to push boundaries, competing in his 7th Olympic trials in 2008 at age 46 and setting a World Age Javelin Record in 2009. He defied the odds once more when he competed in his 8th Olympic trials in 2012 at age 50, coming in second place.
Artistic Pursuits
Far from just an athlete, Bradstock is a highly accomplished artist, often integrating his athletic background with his passion for art. He has received prestigious awards such as the USOC Sport Art Competition in 2000 and the International Sports Artist of the Year in 2003. Bradstock’s style, named “athletic abstraction,” captures the essence of athletic endeavor through powerful, vibrant, and expressive visuals.
Roald’s artwork has been exhibited at the International Olympic Museum in Lausanne, and he was appointed to the IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission in 2017. He went on to become the Chair of the World Olympians Association (WOA) Art Committee: OLY Arts. Bradstock also worked as an artist in residence at the PyeongChang 2018 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, showcasing his creations during these massive events.
Artistic Partnership with Any Lab Test Now
Roald Bradstock’s artistry shines through his connection to Any Lab Test Now. As the husband of the company’s CEO, Clarissa Bradstock, franchisees have the distinct pleasure of displaying his eye-catching artwork in their stores. This adds a captivating visual appeal that embodies both the pursuit of health and wellness and the creative power of the human spirit.
Roald Bradstock’s journey from Olympic athlete to renowned artist highlights the awe-inspiring possibilities of blending two seemingly unrelated fields – sports and art. Through Any Lab Test Now’s collaboration with the “Olympic Picasso,” the franchise stands out, offering consumers not only convenient and affordable lab testing services but also an inspiring, visually stimulating, and creative atmosphere in which they can take control of their health.
If you’re interested in learning more about Roald’s achievements as both an olympian and trailblazing artist explore these online publications about his life and his work:
“The ‘Olympic Picasso’ finally finds recognition for his athletics-inspired art” (CNN, 2024)
