OLYMPIC gold medallist Jason Gardener visited Great Baddow High School where he spoke to aspiring young athletes.
Gardener, who won gold at Athens in 2004 in the 4x100m relay, spoke to children in assembly in the morning before working with the Duffield Road school's elite sprinters in the afternoon.
The school received the visit from the 37-year-old after one of its pupils, Sally Ann Smith, won the Young Person Innovation Award at the Youth Sport Trust's 2013 Conference in February.
The award was part of the Youth Sport Trust's Innovation Awards, which recognise and award best practice and achievements through PE and sport by schools.
Sally Ann received the award in recognition of her commitment to sport and passion for supporting others in sport, including her coaching activities across different sports before and after school, supporting swimming lessons for young people with disabilities and leading and volunteering at over 30 sports festivals.
Gardener joined pupils, staff and governors to officially open the school's new 60m sprint straight athletics track, which the school hopes will help inspire students to enjoy athletics. Jason will also lead a sprint masterclass with young people on the new track.
During his visit, Gardener talked about his journey to Olympic glory in Athens 2004, highlighted the benefits of taking part in sport and spent time with pupils training to be PE teachers to provide them with tips on motivating athletes to succeed.
Youth Sport Trust ambassador Gardener said: "Sally Ann is a remarkable volunteer and it's clear to see she is a dedicated leader in her school and community, doing some great things for young people in Chelmsford."
Jessica Ferguson, head of PE at Great Baddow, said: "We have lots of passionate young athletes and coaches who will benefit from using this new facility and to have an Olympic champion officially open it for us was a great privilege."
