The head teacher, Vanessa Wiseman, her deputy Pinda Jagdev and the staff at the school do an amazing job. They can see the difference that sport makes in people’s lives – from lifestyle choices, to discipline and respecting others.
It was great to see the passion for sport and the facilities to match at Langdon.
With the Games happening literally down the road from them, these kids have a great opportunity to embrace sport and the Olympic and Paralympic ideals.
After leaving Langdon, we travelled the short distance to meet up with Tessa Sanderson, who is working with some of the most promising young athletes in Newham.
With Tessa at her academy:
Tessa’s dream is to have some local athletes competing at 2012 and the Newham Academy Sports Academy is exactly what we envisaged in Singapore when we talked about legacy.
Tessa and the team are picking up the 2012 baton and running with it – from training to helping get her athletes jobs (well, a reference from an Olympic champion can’t do any harm!) – it’s something that is truly making a difference to people’s lives, which is what I think London 2012 is all about.
They offer free training facilities, specialised coaching, medical support and help out where they can buying equipment.
I talked to some of the kids at Tessa’s academy about their training, progress and left them with three thoughts:
After all, striving for excellence is part of the Olympic ideal. I think the Games in 2012 will challenge people – in London and the rest of the UK - to do just that.
- Ordinary people do extraordinary things
- How you respond to failure is sometimes more important than how to respond to success
- The importance of doing your best – and seeing where it takes you.
