2012 students say yes to sport

By Keziah and Amrita Mayfield School and College, Essex

Dame Kelly Holmes with just a few of the 2012 Sport Week students

At Mayfield School we worked alongside 32 other schools in Redbridge.

2012 children from these schools were selected to wear special T-shirts, numbered 1 to 2012, because of London 2012.

These children were selected because of their sporting ability, and if they represented their school in competitions or have attended sports clubs.

On Thursday 3 July, Dame Kelly Holmes, National School Sports Champion, went to Woodlands Primary School to have her photo taken with the first and the last person of these 2012 children.

In September, the photos will be put in order, to create a banner which will be displayed around schools in Redbridge, to show 2012 kids saying yes to sport!

We caught up with Kelly Holmes to find out what she thinks about Sport Week. Inspiring young people to participate in more sporting activities is top of her list, but she feels the general public also play a huge role in helping inspire kids.

Kelly emphasised how being in the army for nine and a half years helped her have the vital skills to become an athlete, teaching her confidence, discipline and respect.

If she hadn't become an athlete she said she would have stayed in the army.

Kelly remains positive that in Beijing 2008, Great Britain will be able to pick up their target of 35 medals, particularly within cycling and rowing.

She believes that the highlight of her career was winning the double gold medal, as it really showed that if you are determined, you can make it.

Kelly said that it is good to support charities and that volunteers should be given credit for all their hard work and commitment.

One of the charities she supports is Dreams Come True, where terminally ill children write in with their dreams, for example to swim with dolphins, and the charity makes it happen.

Shortly after she retired in 2005, Kelly took part in Dancing On Ice, and she described her time on the show as a challenge.

She said she would have liked more time to train, as she was used to running on her toes, and going onto ice in skates was hard!

We also managed to get an insight into the inner Kelly Holmes, including her passion for painting, decorating, cars, interior designing and sudoku.

The day at Woodlands School was fantastic, and everyone who helped to organise it was exhausted, but the kids had a really good time.

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