LUCKY PUPILS from Chingford Foundation School rubbed shoulders with Olympic silver medallist Iwan Thomas last week at the London launch of Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.

The Chingford youngsters travelled to Regent’s Park to take part in a morning’s tuition in sports ranging from volleyball to taekwondo.

Thomas was on hand to put the kids through their paces and was helped by fellow Olympic medalists Gail Emms and Jason Gardener, as well as Paralympic bronze medal winner Ade Adepitan.

And 15-year-old Chingford Foundation School pupil Claire Huggins was in no doubt as to the highlight of her day – mixing with Thomas and co.

“The athletes that were there playing the sports with us were great,” said Huggins. “It was really amazing meeting them.  “I play a lot of sport both outside and in school. I mostly play netball, football and athletics.

“I had never tried any of the sports before. All of it was new to me except volleyball. My school doesn’t have any of these other sports but I think they should because some of them have been really good fun.”

National School Sport Week runs from June 28 to July 2, 2010 and is set to see more than five million schoolchildren and over 40 per cent of schools nationwide involved.

And Thomas – who claimed his silver medal in the 4x400m relay in Atlanta in 1996 – was quick to highlight the impact school sport had on his medal-laden career.

“I didn’t get involved in running the 400m in school until quite late but literally a few years later I was getting an Olympic silver medal, so it is a very important time,” said Thomas, who also claimed World, European Championship and Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week takes place from 28 June – 2 July 2010.  To find out more visit www.lloydstsb.com/london2012 or to register visit www.schoolsportweek.org