Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock believes that potential Olympic and Paralympic stars might get discovered at this year’s Sainsbury’s School Games in Derbyshire. The summer long sporting event involves school children competing in a range of sport events within their school and region.
The star sprinter made a surprise visit to Derbyshire’s regional event on Tuesday, meeting children from across the county who were competing in the annual multi-sport competition.
Peacock, who competed at the Sainsbury’s School Games on his way to Paralympic glory said: “The Sainsbury’s School Games are important to motivate and inspire millions of young people across the country to take part in competitive sport. The event provided a great stepping stone for my career, and the competitions I saw today were of such a high standard I’ve no doubt we’ve seen future stars competing in Derbyshire this year.
Nearly 1,000 young people took part in the event, held at Trent College in Long Eaton. The national finals take place in Manchester this September.
Previous Sainsbury’s School Games participants include Paralympic gold medallists Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, Great Britain sprinter Adam Gemili, heptathlete Katrina Johnson-Thompson and Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock.
Sainsbury’s is committed to encouraging and enabling inclusive school sport. As well as supporting the Sainsbury’s School Games, the retailer has donated over £150 million worth of equipment and experiences through its Active Kids scheme since it began in 2005.