Top athletes sign up to inspire youngsters ahead of Olympics

Published: 29th April, 2011
by JOSH LOEB

LEADING sports stars dropped into the Grey Coat Hospital School in Victoria this week to launch a new programme for young people.

Britain’s star long jumper JJ Jegede, European champion boxer Hannah Beharry and leading sprinters Rikki Fifton and Montell Douglas, fired the starting gun for the council’s Sporting Hero scheme, under which 300 students from 10 schools across the borough will receive coaching from top athletes.

Montell Douglas, current British record holder for the 100m said: “I hope that this project will enable young athletes to translate their talent into reality. Role models are an important source of inspiration for young athletes and I hope that my experiences will help them achieve their sporting dreams. Also, with the Olympics coming up, I hope that with the help of Sporting Heroes more young talent will take the leap to success.”

Steve Summers, Westminster’s cabinet member for community services, said: “With the help of these tremendous athletes, I hope that these young athletes can realise that anything is possible.”