Kelly Holmes visits Tooting

11:04am Tuesday 4th December 2007

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To watch Dame Kelly put college students through their paces click here

Double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes opened a new £6m sports centre at Ernest Bevin College on Monday.

She came to the school in Beechcroft Road to talk to the pupils about her experiences and have a look at the new facilities which include a 25m swimming pool, sports hall, gym, changing rooms and dojo - for training in judo.

She also put the boys through their paces with some circuit training, and offered some tips on the hard work and dedication needed to make it to the Olympics.

Dame Kelly said: "The facilities are fantastic and I could see the energy that's been created. This will be used by the whole community, as well as the college. Those kids that are good can train here so they excel. It's great to think the athletes of tomorrow are being given the best opportunities at garss roots level."

Specialist sports college Ernest Bevin has already produced top sporting talent including judo star Winston Gordon, who represented Britain at the Athens Olympics and won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2002.

Headteacher Mike Chivers said: "We were so delighted to have Dame Kelly here today to open the new facilities. She was such an inspiration to all the children and will hopefully encourage the athletes of tomorrow to continue in their quest to achieve excellence."

To watch Dame Kelly put college students through their paces click here