Gymnast Craig tells of his Olympic success

Olympic gymnast, Craig Heap pictured with Shannon Lee from Ebor Academy Filey.

This was a chance for students to listen to Craig’s story and discuss what it takes to become a successful athlete, gold medal winner and represent England over 100 times.

As a child, Craig was a self-confessed tearaway who was always jumping around the family home. In a desperate attempt to keep their hyperactive child entertained; his parents took him to the same gymnastics classes as his sister.

It wasn’t long before Craig was competing with the British Junior Team and then when he reached the age to compete professionally, Craig represented Britain in the European and World Championships.

In 1998, at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Craig became the first person to captain England to team gold. Four years later in the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, he did it again.

Mr Galbraith, headteacher said: “Since retiring from the sport in 2002, Craig has become a Sports Ambassador, been involved in commentating and has set up his own company, which inspires young people to lead more active and healthier lives. Craig fulfilled his childhood dream of competing at the Olympic Games when he was 21, we invited him in to inspire our students and reinforce our high expectations and values of Aspire, Believe, Achieve.”