Olympic superstar in school visit

9:28am Wednesday 2nd July 2008

YOUNG people taking part in an indoor rowing competition as part of National School Sports Week will get the chance to meet one of Britain's most famous sportswomen, Dame Kelly Holmes, at South Bromsgrove High School today (Wednesday).

Fifty youngsters from a number of local schools including Chadsgrove School, will be competing in the event this afternoon.

Dame Kelly, who won track and field Olympic golds in the 800m and 1500m in Athens in 2004, is due to arrive at the school at 4.30pm on a specially chartered helicopter and will meet participants, hoping to inspire them to take up sport.

Jo Atkinson, the Amateur Rowing Association's (ARA's) Team Leader for the West Midlands, said: "The visit is great recognition for rowing in general and in particular indoor rowing in this area.

"Hopefully it will encourage people to take up sport and especially indoor rowing."

Jo will be joined on the day by Sarah Hough, an ARA Community Sports Coach, as well as two young coaches who will be able to provide the youngsters with tips on indoor rowing.

Dame Kelly's visit is in association with National School Sports Week, a government initiative supported by Norwich Union and managed by the Youth Sport Trust, which hopes to engage up to three million young people across the country to get involved in sport this week.

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