The 'children's Olympics' helps create the stars of tomorrow... I'm proof of that!

As the English Schools' Athletic Association celebrates its centenary, Olympic bronze medalist Georgia Hunter-Bell on why it's the crucial first step for so many of our top athletes

- By Karen Rockett

FROM THE school sports day to an Olympic podium is a very long way and while plenty of hopeful young athletes envisage success, very few make it to the top. But those who do often have one thing in common.

From Mo Farah to Jessica Ennis-Hill, Kelly Holmes to Greg Rutherford, many of Britain's elite athletes first honed their competitive skills via the English Schools' Athletic Association.

For the past century, the volunteer-led grassroots organisation has been the cornerstone of British Athletics. Each year the ESAA gives more than 4,000 youngsters the chance to compete in county races and to date, more than a quarter of a million athletes have participated in its competitions.

On Saturday, the association marks its centenary with a special event at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham attended by 100 previous champions including Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Denise Lewis, Alan Pascoe MBE, Dalton Grant and Sonia Lannaman MBE. Gold medalists from past English Schools Championships can also join a grand parade of athletes past and present.

One of those Team GB athletes who began her running career with ESAA is Olympic medalist Georgia Hunter-Bell. A champion track and field athlete, she competes as a middle distance runner, and in the duathlon, and she won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in the 1,500 metres, setting a new UK record.

The 31-year-old, who stormed to victory in the women's 800 metres in the Diamond League in Stockholm only three weeks ago, also won the silver medal at the 2024 European Athletics Championships and became British national champion, indoors and outdoors, in the 1,500 metres.

And if that wasn't enough, she retained her national indoors title earlier this year.