Olympic silver medallist Joe is an inspiration (From Swindon Advertiser)

Olympic silver medallist Joe is an inspiration

1:00pm Thursday 24th September 2009 in

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AN OLYMPIAN sailor breezed into Swindon to inspire students yesterday.

Olympic silver medallist Joe Glanfield delivered an inspirational talk to Commonweal School pupils at the National Trust headquarters in Swindon.

Students were delighted to see Joe’s medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which he won alongside his sailing partner of 11 years, Nick Rogers.

Joe talked about his journey to the Olympics and the hurdles he overcame to become a top athlete.

He said: “Most young people have a dream about what they want to do when they are older. But it is hard to turn that into a goal and take active steps to achieve it.

“It is hard to think long term and not just in sport.

“To reach the Olympics you need to a have a lot of self belief, be very organised and determined.

“You also need to be very honest with yourself so you can evaluate your performance and training to make improvements.”

Joe and Nick clinched their 2008 silver medal in a dramatic finale after coming back from sitting 4th overall overnight.

The team also won a silver medal at the Athens Olympic games in 2004.

Joe has not announced what his future holds in relation to the 2012 games yet, but he and Nick have called time on their partnership to pursue different ambitions.

Joe’s appearance at Heelis, in Kemble Drive, was part of a series of lectures delivered through the National Trust Discovery Programme in partnership with Sky.

Commonweal School games captain Holly Pearson, 15, of Old Town, said: “I feel excited about the talk. I have never met someone famous before. I always look up to people who have done stuff like that. They are a role model.”

Student Polly Cleaver, 15, of Old Town, said: “I want to find out how to make a career out of sport professionally.”

PE teacher Spencer Cutler said: “It is good for the students to speak to a professional athlete to give them an insight into the commitment required to perform at an international level.”