The London 2012 is fast approaching and the OMRN team at Oakington  were fortunate enough to have some top class Olympians visit their studio and to talk to them first hand about their sport as part of the Black History Month celebrations. The team first met Ade Orogbemi, the Team GB paralympic basketball champion who talked frankly about his disability and the challenges he had to face whilst growing up. His inspirational presentation and demonstration of his wheelchair basketball skills left both staff and pupils in awe of his amazing skills. 

Ade's visit was followed by a visit from Onochie 'Larry' Achike, World and Olympic triple jumper who also inspired pupils and staff  by showing them what his personal best of 17.30m  triple jump looked like using a very long tape measure. His message to the children was that becoming a world and Olympic class athlete, wasn’t just about jumping the longest distance or running the fastest time. It was about education, making sure that homework was completed, studying hard, listening to teachers and being disciplined. All the skills needed to become a world class athlete. 

Forty children were privileged to be chosen to spend an hour in a coaching session, where Larry taught them some drills and techniques of triple jumping. He hopes to come back to the school after the London 2012 Olympics to show off any medals he may win. We will all be rooting for him on OMRN.

Our last celebrity athlete to visit our studios was former junior 100m & 200m sprint champion, Lloyd Stapleton. Lloyd's career began in the early 1980s when he discovered his love for running and was soon spoted and trained to run for various clubs until his moment came for Junior World Championships (under 20's).

He competed from 1984 – 1990 and held various championship titles, collecting over 20 medals and trophies during his career. Injury forced Lloyd to give up his athletic career before making it to his fist Olympic games. Today, Lloyd still runs on the track regularly but no longer competes however, particpates in a number of martial art forms.