World T44 long jump champion Stef Reid and British 100m champion Reece Prescod both visited Park Primary School in Newham today, where the two athletes led an active session with the school’s pupils.
During the visit Reid and Prescod - who is from Walthamstow, less than five miles from the school - put the pupils through their paces with a series of circuit-style exercises on a pop-up athletics track, with the morning’s action serving to encourage pupils of all sporting abilities to challenge themselves.
Reid and Prescod shared their passion for the sport and spoke about how their respective journeys in the sport have led them to representing Great Britain & Northern Ireland on the world stage.
The visit continues the countdown to the Müller Anniversary Games – with one month to go until the iconic annual event gets underway– and the athlete’s visit reinforces the message that the Games is a wholly inclusive event, showcasing both disability and non-disability sport.
World T44 long jump champion Stef Reid said:
“I always enjoy the opportunity of inspiring the next generation – they are always really excited and enthusiastic which is brilliant to see. It is amazing how far Para sport has come since 2012, and the inclusivity of the Anniversary Games continues to promote this.”
“It’s always an honour to compete inside the London Stadium; it invokes special memories for me, particularly after winning the world title there last year. So to be able to come back to the location of that amazing day and give back in this way to the community is very important for me.”
British 100m champion Reece Prescod added:
“I grew up not far from here so it is great to be able to give something back to the local community and hopefully our visit will inspire these school children to both follow athletics and give it a try, too. Six years on since London 2012, it is fantastic to see the legacy is still continuing; both in the local community and from a sport point of view with the Muller Anniversary Games.”
Headteacher Natasha Ttoffali commented:
“Health and wellbeing and the legacy and values of London 2012 and last year’s World Championships are very important to us at the school, especially as we are so close to the London Stadium.
“The visit from two of Britain’s leading athletes was really inspiring for our students and staff and, from what I saw, we could have a few future Olympians and Paralympians at the school!”
Some of Britain’s best para-athletics stars have already confirmed they will be competing at the Müller Anniversary Games, including multiple Paralympic gold medallists Libby Clegg, Richard Whitehead and Hannah Cockroft.
Also returning to the London Stadium next month will be some of the world’s best track and field athletes for one of the most highly-rated IAAF Diamond League meetings on the circuit, including Andre De Grasse and Christian Coleman in the men’s 100m and Dina Asher-Smith, Elaine Thompson and Dafne Schippers in the women’s 200m.
2012 Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford has also confirmed he will be competing in the London Stadium for the final time, where he will be joined by <link news single-news detail echevarria-manyonga-and-henderson-join-rutherford-at-mueller-anniversary-games>reigning Olympic champion Jeff Henderson, world and Commonwealth champion Luvo Manyonga and world indoor champion Juan Miguel Echevarría
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See the biggest names at the Müller Anniversary Games on 21-22 July; for tickets visit: www.britishathletics.org.uk/events-and-tickets/muller-anniversary-games-2018/
