Helene wins gold!

Thursday, 11 September 2008

Sky Sports Living for Sport Athlete Mentor Helene Raynsford became the first Paralympic rowing gold medallist in history, winning 1000m single sculls races in Beijing.

The 28-year-old completed her race at Shunyi Olympic Rowing Park in 6min 12.93sec, 12.51 seconds clear of the field in the first ever Paralympic rowing final.

Another Sky Sports Living for Sport Tim Predergast came fourth in his 5000m race but still has the 1500m to go. So good luck to Tim!

Everyone at the Youth Sport Trust would like to congratulate all the Paralympic GB medalists and wish the rest of Team GB every success in Beijing.

Chosen for their ability to engage with young people, Helene and Tim are part of a team of athlete mentors used to deliver the Sky Sports Living for Sport initiative, which uses the power of sport to motivate and inspire.   Working with pupils at risk of disengaging with school life, perhaps because of self confidence, personal development or behavioural issues, the mentors visit schools as part of Sky Sports Living for Sport to share their own contrasting stories of success and struggle and highlight the challenges, such as bullying, dyslexia, exclusion or living with a disability, they have had to overcome. 

Click here to find out more about Sky Sports Living for Sport