Cronk-y-Berry School played host to an esteemed local visitor last week as 5 times Paralympic silver medalist, Ian Sharpe, gave an inspirational speech to Key Stage 2 pupils.
A local Olympic Torchbearer, Mr Sharpe focused on the theme of motivation and overcoming challenges and encouraged pupils to consider the importance of working hard in the face of adversity in order to achieve your goals. The talk was part of a Lloyds TSB initiative, developed in partnership with the Youth Sports Trust, to sustain the positive momentum generated by the London 2012 Olympic Games with the Lloyds TSB National Sports Week, which is to take place at local schools on 25th June, 2012. Pupils enjoyed the rare opportunity to hold Mr Sharpe’s Paralympic silver medal as well as pose a number of questions about his extensive career as a multi world and European champion and Paralympic silver medalist.
A visually impaired, elite athlete, Mr Sharpe was born in Ramsey on the Isle of Man and began his sporting career in 1984 having been scouted by the Great Britain swim team to join their development programme in 1983. Since then, Mr Sharpe has gone on to build an incredible sporting career, which has resulted in his representing Great Britain in no fewer than 5 Paralympic games, 4 world championships and numerous European championships. He has won 5 silver and 5 bronze Paralympic medals and was 4 times World Champion in 1990 as a swimmer, later becoming a double World and European champion cyclist in 2005. Ian has competed against able-bodied athletes in 3 World Island Games and holds the GB national record for both able-bodied and disability riders in the men’s 4km tandem pursuit. An active community figure, Mr Sharpe has also been involved in a number of initiatives for blind welfare on the Island and has worked with the Manx Blind Welfare Society to assist in developing the technology for the Island’s first talking TV Guide.
Pupils were fascinated to hear Mr Sharpe’s explanation of how Paralympic athletes are able to overcome a range of disabilities with innovative solutions, particularly the use of a tandem bicycle and pilot when competing in Paralympic cycling events. Mr Sharpe also encouraged his audience to consider the difference between the Paralympic and Olympic Games and the implications of allowing athletes to cross-over between competitions.
Rob Sellors, Head Teacher at Cronk-y-Berry and Olympic Torchbearer himself, commented on the event: “The day was a great success. Mr Sharpe was met with an incredibly enthusiastic response from our pupils, all of whom went home with a heightened understanding of the Paralympic Games and a newfound insight into the incredible advances we have made in sports over past years. Mr Sharpe was passionate, inspiring and unreserved in articulating to our pupils that if you want to achieve something, you have to put in the effort. He is a great example to us all and I would like to once again thank him for attending Cronk-y-Berry School.”
Photo: Ian and Students: Hollie Glassey, Ian Sharpe, Emily Coleman and Charlie Gibson.
