PUPILS from a dozen schools have benefited from a series of spectacular sporting events on the eve of the Olympics.
 

The Thomas Lord Audley School has hosted a series of events for its own pupils and those from Colchester primary schools.
 

Led by sports co-ordinator Matt Julier the school has embraced this summer’s sporting extravaganza with visits from top sporting stars, themed events and their very own Olympics.
 

Mr Julier said: “With the Olympics fast approaching The Thomas Lord Audley School has embraced the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect with three huge events to mark the occasion.”
 

First the school hosted a world sport day as part of the Get Set Goes Global Education Programme.
 

Get Set is a scheme designed to get young people and schools involved in sport using the London Games as a focus.
 

During one event primary school pupils were given morning workshops in Olympic field events before an inter-school competition.
 

The younger pupils also found out more about the other nations of the world with each pupil spending a week researching a nation and then representing them at a mock Olympic ceremony complete with flags and banners.
 

One of the multiple special guests was Great Britain race walker Daniel King who started the races.
 

Bolt the Bear, the mascot from The Colchester and Blackwater Partnership, was also at the school to cheer on the competitors.
 

And professional BMX rider Keelan Phillips also visited the school for another of the lessons in sporting excellence offered at the school.
 

BMX racing is now an Olympic sport and our own triple world champion

Shanaze Reade is favourite for the gold.
 

Keelan visited the school, in Monkwick Avenue, as part of a scheme in partnership with Monkwick Junior School.
 

Mr Julier said: “The event involved hosting the UK’s top professional BMX rider who performed an amazing demonstration of incredible tricks to inspire pupils.”
 

In recent weeks the school also welcomed rugby league star and Challenge Cup winner Paul Broadbent to give a talk about passion, commitment and hard work.
 

Student Joshua James said: “We gained a great deal of valuable advice not only on how to be a professional sportsperson but also how to be successful in life – never give up; work hard; take your chances.”
 

Paul added: “My visit was so well organised and everyone really engaged with me very well.
 

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone involved and I was so impressed with the level of talent, friendliness and sporting ethos of the school.”
 

And that is coming from an international who reached the top of his sport.
 

The climax of a year of sporting excellence was the sports day, a far cry from the days of egg and spoon and sack races.
 

Olympic torch bearer Tracey McGill launched the event giving some of the pupils the chance to hold the iconic symbol.
 

Mr Julier said: “On a fantastic sunny afternoon the stunning golden Olympic torch glimmered with purity from the endeavour for perfection with its 8,000 holes representing each of the torch bearers that carried it around our country and its triangular sides representing the third time the Olympics have been held in London.
 

“We embraced the Olympic values and three words of the Olympic motto: Faster, stronger, higher and enjoyed a truly memorable occasion.”
 

The final treat for the pupils will be a rewards visit to the athletics and swimming at the Paralympics and some of the pupils, in recognition of the sporting excellence at the school, have been chosen as official visitors at the Olympic mountain biking competition in Hadleigh.