Paralympian Sarah Storey inspires Southam pupils

Cyclist Sarah Storey, who won four gold medals at this year’s London Games, watched a gymnastics 
performance and stayed to answer 
questions from pupils at the school on Wednesday.

Storey was born without a functioning left hand after her arm became entangled in her umbilical cord in the womb. She began her Paralympic career as a swimmer, winning two golds, three silvers and a bronze in Barcelona in 1992 at the age of 14, and swam in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Paralympics before switching to cycling in 2005.

Headteacher Ranjit Samra was as impressed by his pupils challenging questions as the 35-year-old athlete, who began winning medals while studying for her GCSEs.

He said: “She was inspirational. She was approachable, humble, very committed to her sport but very likeable. She certainly didn’t let her disability hinder her in any way in her desire to be a successful athlete.”