Hampshire Olympic hero returns to former schools (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Hampshire Olympic hero returns to former schools
3:36pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in Winchester
Dani King (centre) opens Barton Peveril's new bike store with college principal Jonathon Prest (left) and county councillor Andrew Gibson
MORE than 1,000 excited students welcomed an Olympic hero back to her old college last week.
Cyclist Dani King, who won gold in team pursuit at London 2012, came back to Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh last Thursday (Oct 18) to open its new cycle store.
It came after the county council gave the college £10,000 to upgrade its bike provision, with the secure store able to hold up to 80 bikes.
The college hopes to encourage more students to cycle in every day and has taken steps against theft, restricting access by giving students parking their bikes exclusive key cards to get in and out of the store.
Principal Jonathan Prest said: “Everyone was so pleased to see Dani. Barton Peveril is committed both to the green agenda and to the good health of staff and students. “Dani’s endorsement of an active lifestyle where more people cycle to college rings all the right bells and is a great way to inspire the Olympic legacy in our community.”
Cllr Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport, added: “On behalf of the County Council, we are pleased our contribution has enabled the college to provide secure bike storage and Dani King’s visit is sure to inspire students to cycle more.”
After opening the store, Dani visited the college’s fitness suite to talk to sport and physical education students about what it takes to become an Olympic athlete.
Earlier in the day she visited her home village Hamble, near Southampton, and opened a cycleway named after her between her old schools Hamble Primary School and Hamble Community Sports College.
