A SPORTS fanatic from Dunmow has beaten thousands of people across the UK to win a place in final of The National Lottery’s search for the UK’s top Olympic and Paralympic expert.

Vic Ranger, 68, was chosen for the final from over 10,000 competitors who took part in the Games Brain of Britain quiz – the ultimate test of Olympic and Paralympic Games knowledge.

The quiz launched online in April this year and took to the roads with a regional tour to find the UK’s expert in all things Olympic and Paralympic.

A self-confessed sports nut, Vic watches all the sport he can and plays tennis himself.

“I saw the quiz when I was on the National Lottery website, buying my tickets,” said Vic, who regularly takes part in quiz nights in his local area. “I’m one of those people who can’t resist a quiz, so it was my natural reaction to give it a go.”

Having gone straight in to entering the online quiz without any revision, Vic does now plan to do a week of swotting up in advance of the final.

“I’ll be reading up on as much as I can”, he said. “I plan to try and replenish the knowledge I’ve already got and hope some of it sticks. But I like sport, and at my age I’ve probably seen many more Olympics than others, so I hope that will stand me in good stead.”

Now retired, Vic helps to fill his time working as a film and TV extra, and as a result he is used to being in the spotlight, even if it is usually only in the background.

But on Tuesday October 26, Vic will be in the limelight to compete against eight other finalists from across the UK who completed the quiz in the fastest time for the chance to be crowned the Games Brain of Britain – and win a holiday of a lifetime to the Olympic Games host city of their choice.

If he were to be crowned the lucky winner, a trip to Sydney would rank high on Vic’s list of potential destinations as his daughter Nicola lives out there.

“It would be lovely to have two weeks out there with my wife Decia,” said Vic. “But there are also so many other places which are appealing. I’m trying not to think about it too much. I’ll make a choice if I am lucky enough to win.

“As there are buzzer rounds it could come down to the other finalists having quicker reactions than me,” he added. “I just plan to do the best I can.”

The national final will take place in London and will be hosted by Olympic Games legend Sir Steve Redgrave MBE.

Sir Steve Redgrave said: “We’ve had an incredible response to The National Lottery’s Games Brain quiz, with over 10,000 entries in total. For Vic to make the national final is a fantastic achievement, and proves that he really is an expert in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The National Lottery is contributing �2.2 billion for London 2012 and Games Brain is a great way of getting people excited about the Games. I’m looking forward to hosting the final next week in London and wish all the contestants the best of luck.”

To date, over �500 million has been raised by lottery players for London 2012 through sales of its specially designated games, including Dream Number, certain Scratchcards and all interactive instant win games.

In total, The National Lottery aims to raise �750 million for London 2012 through sales of such games, where all the Good Causes money raised goes towards the forthcoming Olympic Games and Paralympic Games – part of a wider lottery contribution of �2.2 billion.

Of the �750 million that will come from sales of specially designated lottery games, all the Good Causes money raised will go towards funding the provision of facilities and supporting infrastructure for the 2012 Games. In particular, National Lottery players are helping to fund five major new sports facilities that include the Olympic Stadium, a new VeloPark, Aquatics Centre, Handball Arena and Hockey Centre.