Greg jumps at the chance to pose for male cancer charity | The Sun ...

OLYMPIC hero Greg Rutherford poses in nothing but a pair of Union Jack underpants and his gold medal as he takes part in a charity life art class.

Greg, 26, stripped off for a group of lucky fans who got to draw him in all his glory as part of a campaign to help promote Male Cancer Awareness.

The Team GB long jumper was thrust into the spotlight after he bagged himself gold when he jumped an impressive 8.31m in the finals of the event at this summer's London Olympics.

He is now keen to put his newfound fame to good use after a close friend was diagnosed with testicular cancer aged just 33.

The event, organised by deals website Groupon, saw more than 950 people log on and bid for their chance to take part in the class, with 15 winners randomly selected to enjoy a champagne reception and the guidance of Tony Picano of the Life Drawing Society UK.

The select few were then able to pose for pictures with Greg and his gold medal and have their artwork signed by the track and field star.

Talking about the experience Greg admitted that while he didn't initially think he would feel nervous stripping off, when it came down to it the ordeal was very nerve-racking.

He said: "It was up until the moment I was sitting here and waiting to come out - that's when I got incredibly nervous. Even this morning I was really blase about it, I was like 'oh this will be fine I've had to do much bigger things in my life and then all of a sudden I was absolutely bricking it.

Jump to it ... Greg Rutherford strikes a pose in a life art class to raise cash for cancer charity

Groupon

"You're out there and everybody is looking at you and you know what's coming next as do they and you're sort of thinking 'oh ok, this is the moment...' It's really awkward but nice, you get into it, it's for a good cause so it's worth it."

Greg also admitted that he was inspired to take part in the event because of the bravery of his friend who has been battling the disease.

He said: "I've got a mate who's been suffering with testicular cancer and he's in remission now so he's come out the back end of it, he's recovered. He was a massive inspiration to me because when you see somebody who's ill like that but still training and still working hard, it's brilliant to look at them and think you're dealing with something so severe like this.

"I mean anybody can contract any form of cancer. This is 99% curable - but people still die of it. So it was amazing to see and for that reason I was very keen to get involved. It's just a great idea to raise some money and hopefully make men more aware as well.

Greg stressed the importance of regularly checking for symptoms - and acting quickly if you find something wrong.

He said: "I think all guys need to have a bit of a fiddle and feel for any irregular lumps or bumps or anything. Or if there is any unfamiliar feeling in the area - like dull aches in their stomach or scrotum - just nip in to the doctor, it's their job, go and let them have a feel and a check of you. It's their job - they don't care what it looks like. At least then if you're OK you know.

"If you leave it too long people do die of it - so forget about the embarrassment of getting bits and bobs out for a doctor. I did it in front of 40 people here so you just have to do it. If it's going to save your life who cares."

Arty ... Greg Rutherford says he was nervous about posing

Groupon

Greg recently confessed that since being plunged in to the spotlight by his Olympic success he's found it hard to cope with being called a "celebrity".

He said: "It's been interesting to say the least - being invited here there and everywhere and getting photographed all over the place.

"I think the term 'celebrity' is thrown around really easily, I wouldn't see myself as one at all. I just do track and field and I'm fortunate enough to do it to a very high level."

But he also admitted that being better known in the public eye since his success hasn't put his ambitions as a sportsman on hold.

He added: "I think every track and field athlete, their ultimate aim is to go out there and win at the Olympics and I had the fortunate turn of events that it happened for me in London. For me that's got to be the highlight of my career by a long, long way - just that pure feeling of every emotion I've ever had in my life rolled into one at that moment I realised I'd won. There's never been anything like it in my life and I don't think there'll be anything like it again.

"I want to go on and cement myself as one of the greatest long jumpers ever. Obviously winning in London will always be the most important, but there's the world championships next year. I want to back up the Olympic title with that, and after that we have the Commonwealth and European games - and I want to win those as well.

"I basically want to win every major title there is."

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4689303/greg-rutherford-poses-for-cancer-charity.html

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