Great Britain Olympic sprinter Jeanette Kwakye took a break from her training for London 2012 to visit pupils at Davenant Foundation School.
The 29-year-old spoke to a group of 22 students about a range of subjects, including her education in Walthamstow as a child, to her current preparations for the Olympic Games.
After a workshop with the ‘young leaders’ the prospective Olympic medallist prepared the students to officiate a major event which is being held at the school on June 29 - the West Essex Olympics.
The event will have eight sports take place simultaneously at one site. More than 1,700 people will be present on the day, and the young leaders will be officiating the athletic competition at the event.
The pupils also met Alan Bell - the official Olympic Race Starter for all of the races in the coming London 2012 Games and listened to the duo exchange their experiences.
Kwakye, whose visit was organised through the Sky Sports ‘Living for Sport’ initiative - a scheme which supports leadership courses for aspiring young athletes and sport persons, presented the school with a signed Team GB athletics vest.
Davenant student and Gold Ambassador Leader, Felix-Leonard Fox said: "Jeanette was truly inspirational, yet humble too. She was approachable and we learnt so much from her as we felt that we could ask her anything about her journey."
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