UK OLYMPIC sprinter Rion Pierre made made a whistlestop visit to Edlesborough School to help promote this year’s Games. The runner, who is competing, for Britain in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, visited the school for the morning and worked with each class by putting the children through their paces.
The children got a taste of what it was like to train as an athlete. One of the children asked Rion if he was on a special diet. Rion responded by saying that he ate a balanced diet of fruit, meat, fish and vegetables to stay fit and healthy.
Teacher Rekha Slatter said: “ he said to the children that no matter what they did in their lives if they worked hard and did their best they will be successful. It was inspirational to hear Rion’s story of his determination to compete with the best athletes in the world.
“Rion was born in Jamaica and moved to England when he was five. He told us that when he first started school he was a bit ‘podgy’ and didn’t like school - until he discovered sport!
“He was a great footballer but was dropped by Chelsea at the age of 14, because he wasn’t tall and strong enough to carry on. This setback did not put him off and he was even more determined to succeed so he joined an athletics club. “Here his talent in sprinting was noticed and now he is one of our Olympic hopefuls for the 2012 Games!
“The children responded enthusiastically to his visit and have been raising money to support ‘Sports for schools.’”
