Olympic champion pops into Ravenside

REIGNING Olympic sailing champion Sarah Ayton called in at Ravenside Retail Park last week.

Sarah's visit was to congratulate fellow B & Q team member and double trap shooter Steven Scott, who works in B & Q as a customer adviser, on his recent success at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championships and to chat to staff and customers about her Olympic experiences.

The day was organised by B & Q as part of its partnership with the British Olympic Association to support Team GB through to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Sarah started sailing at just six years of age and quickly became hooked. She subsequently spent all her spare time on the water, she said: " I haven't looked back since." She then became determined to be an Olympic athlete after watching Sally Gunnell win a gold medal in Barcelona. Her dream came true 12 years later when she won an Olympic gold medal in Athens.

Talking of the B & Q programme she said: "The whole aim is to encourage people of all ages to either have a go at something they've never tried, or take something they're doing to a different level. If I can get any of the staff or customers more interested in sport, I'll be chuffed to bits."

Steven,22, lives at Battle. His Dad taught him to shoot when he was ten and he has been semi-professional for almost two years.

Along with 11 other aspiring Olympians who work in B & Q stores throughout the country, he is now part of Team B & Q.

It was the first time Steven and Sarah had met and Sarah said it was, "great to meet a fellow team member and share experiences."

He is full of praise for the support and encouragement he receives from colleagues .

Steven narrowly missed out on a Bronze medal at the ISSF World Championships in Cyprus earlier this month when he finished in fourth place but remains on course for the Beijing Olympics.

Lynda Turner