Olympians and ‘Fire’ from Gladiators inspire South London pupils at Athletics for All event
 

Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu and fellow British track star Montell Douglas – now better known as Fire from the popular BBC show Gladiators – put primary school children from across south London through their paces at the inspirational Athletics for All event. 

Ohuruogu, the 2008 Olympic 400m champion, and Douglas, the 2010 Commonwealth Games 4x100m champion, attended the event at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, which was organised by the Lloyd Cowan Bursary and London Marathon Events.

Almost 100 children took part in running, jumping, and throwing events in Athletics for All, created in 2023 to inspire activity among under-represented people and to increase awareness of the Lloyd Cowan Bursary. 

Lloyd Cowan was an international hurdler and world-leading coach who helped numerous athletes, including Ohuruogu and Douglas, to achieve widespread success on the global stage.  

He died in January 2021 and the bursary in his name was set up later that year to support the next generation of UK athletes and coaches, especially those for whom cost is a barrier to achieving their potential in athletics. 

Ohuruogu is a Lloyd Cowan Bursary trustee, and she watched over the sessions in the sunshine which were presided over by coaches at the bursary. The former athlete, who is also a double world champion over 400m and won silver at London 2012, said it invoked some happy memories. 

“It is such an iconic place to play sport. Athletics for All is about being with your friends and having fun. These children may not want to be athletes, but it is important they understand the value of being outside and doing something good for your wellbeing. This matches with Lloyd’s legacy, as he had time for everyone irrespective of age or experience and wanted people to try a new sport. Hopefully something will stick but, even if it doesn’t, the main thing is that everyone has fun.” 

Children from St Margaret’s Lee CE Primary School – Douglas’ former school – were in attendance, and headteacher Ian Wilson said it was important that the young people experienced as many different activities as possible as they grow. 

“The children have had a great time and, importantly, tried something new. A lot of our children are from Lewisham and may not be able to access opportunities such as this, and to give these young people the chance to receive coaching from elite athletes is incredible. One of our school values is resilience and the children know if they are going to do well in athletics then practise is necessary and only through that can you improve. And I have already seen a lot of improvement today.” 

Polly Irvine, Schools Engagement Manager at London Marathon Events, said: “We were proud to support the Lloyd Cowan Bursary in delivering another fantastic Athletics for All event.  

“London Marathon Events is passionate about making sport accessible for every child and young person – giving them opportunities to be active, enjoy movement, and be inspired to stay engaged with physical activity as they grow. 

“With the guidance of the amazing Lloyd Cowan Bursary coaches, Athletics for All proved that sport can be both exciting and empowering. We hope the event sparked a lasting love for movement – whether that means staying active in everyday life or aiming for greatness on the track.”