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Gold Medal Olympian Visits Chobham Academy

Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Ed Clancy has visited Chobham Academy to deliver a special assembly and meet staff and students.

The track star achieved a gold medal in the team pursuit at London 2012, breaking the world record in the process. This was followed by a bronze in the Omnium event, complementing a team pursuit gold at Beijing 2008 and numerous other titles.

Chobham Academy was developed as part of London 2012 legacy and has five school houses named after Olympic athletes. Ed led a special assembly for students in his house, giving them the chance to see the medals he won in the Olympic Park’s velodrome and ask questions.

Students were particularly interested in hearing about Ed’s achievements on the track, the athletes he met at London 2012 and his frequent traveling across the world to compete. They also enjoyed Ed’s admission that he crashes his bike at least 10 times a year, showing that even top athletes aren’t perfect.

Ed’s most serious piece of guidance to students was to always give their all, saying:

“My advice is that you should base your confidence in life on the fact that you will give everything 100 per cent, many factors are out of your control but giving 100 per cent is all you can do.

"I never knew or had complete confidence I was going to be successful, but I tried my best and then the success came."

After some photos with his house and narrowly escaping having to sign every homework planner in the room, Ed went on a tour of the Academy’s building, which during the Olympics was a gym and training centre for athletes.

He then dropped in on a Year 7 PE lesson and was impressed both by the Academy’s facilities and the way that senior PE students were playing a key role in leading the lesson for younger ones.A primary PE lesson was the last stop on Ed’s visit, where pupils were able to hold his London 2012 medals. Most were suitably excited; although one budding eight year old sportsman was keen to stress that he had already met Mo Farah!

The Academy and in particular Ed Clancy House look forward to welcoming Ed again soon. Lisa Kattenhorn, Acting Principal of Chobham Academy, said:“We always aim to inspire students and give them opportunities to see how working hard and having confidence can bring success.  Ed’s visit on Tuesday really brought this message to life.  He was inspirational.”