Medal power – Gold haul for athletes in Primary Schools Indoor Athletics Competition

Published: 12 February 2010

SPORTY schoolchildren were inspired by tales of Olympic glory this week, as bronze medal winner Vicki Hansford presented prizes at the borough’s Primary Schools Indoor Athletics Competition.

Seventeen primary schools from across Islington competed in races, standing long jump and soft javelin at the Sobell Leisure Centre on Wednesday.

St Joan of Arc School triumphed for the second year running, picking up a total of 12 gold medals. Grafton School was also celebrating, after being crowned the Fair Play winners, for demon­strating the best sportsmanship. 

Prizes were presented by Vicki Hansford who was part of the mixed coxed four rowing team at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, where she and her team claimed bronze. She spoke of being a world-class athlete and her hopes of competing in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Pupils also had the opportunity to hold the Olympic torch from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Islington Council's leisure chief councillor Ruth Polling, said: “We’re using the 2012 Games to encourage young Islington residents to get involved in sports and make use of the excellent leisure facilities we have across the borough. The enthusiasm for athletics among the pupils was lovely to see and having an Olympic winner like Vicki here was really inspiring.”