A headteacher at a Hackney school today praised Olympic athletes for motivating her pupils.
Paralympian Richard Whitehead has spoken at Haggerston School assembly, urging students to try to succeed when the odds are against them, while the BBC has filmed Olympic gold medal-winning kayaker Tim Brabants giving pupils special instruction at the Games rowing venue, Eton Dorney, near Windsor.
Other Haggerston pupils will visit the 2012 aquatics centre in Stratford this month to watch the diving test event.
Headteacher Dr Jane Keeley said: "These visits have definitely made a difference and kept the Olympics very much to the fore. Our pupils have had more opportunities to be inspired by the Olympics than anywhere else."
The athletes' involvement was organised by Freshfields, official legal services provider to the Olympics and a sponsor of the Games.
The company has been working with the school for 10 years as part of its corporate responsibility programme.
Haggerston pupil Christiana Egere, 15, chosen as an Olympic torchbearer after winning a Freshfields contest, said: "People at school are really excited about the Olympics and are getting into PE."
