Karen Pickering

STUDENTS of Park View school in Tottenham received an inspirational visit from former Olympian swimmer Karen Pickering last week.

Pickering, who won more major championship medals for Britain than any other female swimmer between 1986 and 2005, visited the school as part of the London 2012 student leadership conference.

More than 100 pupils, along with 18 teachers from 13 schools attended the event, developing projects to take back to their schools and exploring the values of the Games, which come to the capital next summer.

Youcef Harizi, a Year 8 pupil from Park View, said: “It was a really interesting day as I learned lots of new things about London 2012 – it was really good to be at.”

The event was organised by Ben Smart, second in command of PE at Park View, in conjunction with the Get Set Network London 2012.

Pickering (pictured with Park View students) said: “Sometimes it’s easy to look at people who’ve had success and think that there’s something different about them, that they’re special, and actually that’s just not true.

“I couldn’t even float – let alone swim – when I started out. It’s about hard work, it’s about being determined and it’s about coping when things don’t go well.

“I think that for anyone who can find something they are passionate about, if you are prepared to work hard and put the effort in, it’s amazing what you can achieve.”