AN OLYMPIC gold medal winner returned to school at Packwood Haugh last week after achieving rowing success at the London 2012 Games.
Former pupil Tom James was part of the victorious men’s coxless fours at last summer’s London Olympics having also won gold in the same event at the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing.
He returned last week to officially open the Ruyton-XI-Town school’s newly resurfaced all-weather pitches during a visit which began with a special assembly during which pupils watched video clips of his medal-winning Olympic races.
Tom also answered questions from the children and told them about his rowing career and Olympic experiences, including the enormous amounts of food he eats while training.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed as Tom officially opened the all-weather pitches and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion as well as taking part in a brief hockey session.
Tom, who also displayed his medals during the visit, said: “I am so grateful for all the sporting opportunities I enjoyed at Packwood.
“It was here that my love of sport was nurtured and encouraged and I’ve no doubt that this fantastic facility will help many more pupils develop their sporting potential,” he added.