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Olympian runs by to talk Sport Relief with sixth form

Tuesday 25 March 2014

WEB Laura Weightman and sixth form 667

From schools cross country to Team GB, the journey to London 2012 was brought to life for sixth form students when athlete Laura Weightman visited The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL).

The visit was arranged by Sport Relief, as a thank you to GSAL which was one of the top fundraising schools in the area for Sport Relief 2012.

Laura spoke to sixth form students studying PE, which was especially timely as the students are currently studying the Olympic movement as part of their A-level curriculum. Inspired at an early age by the success of Kelly Holmes and Paula Radcliffe, Laura started cross country at the age of 12, later turning her attention to the track.

She won her third and final schools 1500m title in 2009, and just three years later was part of Team GB at London 2012. She puts her success largely down to one big decision – changing her coach so that she could work with Steve Cram.

She said: “A lot can happen in just a few years but success doesn’t happen by luck or chance. You need to have confidence in those around you and belief in your own ability.”

Laura talked to the students about the experience of competing at such a major event, from the training and preparation, to life in the athletes’ village. As a first time Olympian she said she learned a lot by observing experienced competitors such as Jess Ennis and Greg Rutherford, who went on to win gold, and stressed the importance of being part of a team.

Laura achieved her goal of reaching the Olympic 1500m final, and took 11th place. Laura said: “Stood on the start line with 80,000 people cheering you is surreal and despite the pressure lifts your performance. I had to fight for every second and made the final by the width of my jumper! All the work over the years is for moments like that.”

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