An Olympic javelin thrower has visited Greenford High School as part of London Youth Games Big Kick Off Week.
Goldie Sayers' visit coincided with the Ealing Sportshall Athletics competition, in which eight schools from the area competed for the chance to represent the borough at the regional qualifiers next month.
Over 120 Year seven students participated in the event, which took place on the January 28.
Goldie said: “I think Sportshall athletics is brilliant. It’s a great stepping stone into learning about competing and doing the best and maybe finding an event you didn’t know you were good at. The attitude of the kids has really impressed me, they are all supporting each other and enjoying what they are doing.
“You see talent all over the place, I’ve seen good runners and jumpers. A lot of time you might be the best in your school, but you don’t know you are the best in London. One of the kids here might go on to be the best at the London Youth Games, they might realise ‘wow, I am quite good’ and it could lead to an athletics career.”
Drayton Manor’s Girls’ team and Greenford High’s Boys’ were the victors of the day, winning the chance to compete with the hope of making it all the way to the London wide finals on April 1.
Goldie, who is a ten times UK champion, also participated in a question and answer session with the competitors before posing for photos.
The Balfour Beatty London Youth Games are Europe’s largest sporting events, with many winners going on to careers as profession athletes and Olympians. The events include all 33 London Boroughs and involve 81 competitions over 30 sports.
