Premier Sport Ambassador Duncan Goodhew MBE inspires Stoke school Children - 2nd Feb 2012
Premier Sport Ambassador and Olympic swimming champion Duncan Goodhew joined children at Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy, to inspire them in sport and bring a little bit of Olympic magic to the school.
Duncan who won an Olympic Gold Medal in the 1980 Moscow games visited the academy as they were chosen to represent Great Britain in a Stoke –on-Trent wide event to celebrate the Olympic Games.
Duncan not only showed his Olympic medals at the school, but also recalled tales of his Olympic journey and the challenges he faced on his route to Olympic Gold.
Duncan said: "I have always believed in the value of sport. I was born dyslexic and really struggled in life, but sport changed that.
"I talked about what sport has done for me and wanted to get across that general message to encourage children to take part in things that make you feel big inside.
"And these activities do not have to be during school time, they can be out of school and during the holidays too."
PE Coordinator at Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy, Helen Freeman, said: "We want our children to meet as many sporting heroes in the run-up to the Olympics as possible so having Duncan pop in was a real honour for us.
"Our school has been chosen to represent Great Britain in the event and we will be hosting the parade because of how much work we have been doing to commemorate the Olympics."
Each child taking part in the parade will get free tickets to the celebration by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Councillor Debra Gratton, cabinet member for children's services, added: "This is a unique opportunity for hundreds of our city's young people to get involved with the London 2012 Olympic Games. We are aiming to create a lasting legacy in the city and give our young people something that they will remember.
"We want every school to be represented in the parade and to enjoy the celebrations in the park afterwards with the thousands of local people."
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