OLYMPIC gold medallist Denise Lewis said she hoped to inspire future Olympians as she presented awards at a school sports ceremony.

The heptathlete visited King Alfred’s Community and Sports College in Wantage to hand out awards to pupils with dreams of one day achieving sporting glory themselves.

Ms Lewis was guest of honour as the school, which specialises in sport, celebrated the successes of more than 120 Key Stage Four and Five pupils at a ceremony on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old, who won a gold medal for the heptathlon at the Sydney Olympics in Australia in 2000 and a bronze at Atlanta in the US in 1996, as well as Commonwealth and European gold medals, said: “This has been a very special evening for everyone involved.The passion for celebrating success at King Alfred’s is very clear, as is the warm and strong relationships between staff and students.

“Rarely have I visited such a vibrant and exciting school.

“Congratulations to everyone who received awards this evening and I hope to see many of you receiving medals at future Olympics.”

Sixth-former John Paul, who represents Great Britain and Scotland as a cyclist, won the school’s senior sportsman of the year award.

He said: “Without the support of the staff and my family none of this would be possible.

“They’re always there for me. My goal is to perform at the very highest level.”

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