A legendary Scottish Olympic champion yesterday gave inspiration to pupils at an Aberdeen school.
Allan Wells, 62, was a guest of honour at the St Margaret’s School for Girls sports day assembly where he delivered a keynote speech to around 400 pupils.
The Edinburgh-born sprinter became a hero at the 1980 Moscow Olympics when he won a 100m gold, setting a new British record of 10.11 seconds which held for 12 years.
The athlete also won the 200m silver at the US-boycotted Olympics and has six Commonwealth medals under his belt.
He said: “I was absolutely delighted to be invited along to St Margaret’s and to speak to the girls. I wanted to help them realise that they have the ability and opportunity to achieve great things in life.
“You should strive to be the best you can and to optimise your abilities. I was not the fastest runner in my school, I was a long jumper in the Edinburgh schools under-15s, but I just had this feeling inside that I wanted to be a runner and achieve great things.”
He added: “I do believe that in some ways it is down to luck, but I also believe that you can make your own luck with hard work and commitment.
“When I was training, it was a very repetitive and monastic existence, but I ended up with a gold medal.”
The athlete also met the school’s very own Commonwealth baton bearer, swimmer Lindsey MacInnes, 16.
The fifth year pupil, from Kingswells, will take charge of the baton in Aberdeen on Monday June 30.
She is one of 4000 people from across the globe who will hold the baton in the run-up to this summer’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Lindsey said: “Allan is an inspiration to so many people. It was fantastic to meet him and to hear what he had to say about commitment and dedication.
“It is a great privilege and honour to be carrying the baton on behalf of St Margaret’s. I am scared but very excited at the same time and I am really looking forward to it.”