A Visit from Victoria Thornley, Olympic silver-medalist in Rio 2016

Olympic silver-medallist and aunt to one of the children at Whitegate, Vicky Thornley has come into school today (29th September) to talk to each Year Group about her time in Rio and what it takes to be so successful! Vicky talked to the children about her healthy diet, the importance of drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, being disciplined and determined, and how it felt to compete in the Olympic Games. The children thought about questions they could ask her that would be interesting and they thought of some very good ones:- 

What time do you need to get up in the mornings to start training? I get up at 6.30am and I start training at 7.30am.

I get travel sick and I wondered if you ever feel 'sea sick' when you are rowing? Fortunately I don't ever feel sick when I am training or racing.

How long do you have to train each day? I have two demanding training sessions each day that each last several hours.

How far did you race when you were rowing in the Olympics? The race was 2,000 metres. 

Auntie Vicky, Mummy said to ask you what size feet you have and how tall you are? My feet are size 11 and I am 6ft 4" tall. 

How did it feel when you realised you had won a silver medal? At first we (Vicky and Katherine Grainger) were shocked and of course we were exhausted, and then once we had realised we were overjoyed. 

Vicky has come through the GB Rowing Team Start programme to establish herself as one of the country's leading scullers. The former equestrian rider and model was the first graduate of the Sporting Giants talent identification scheme to win a medal when she struck gold at the 2009 World U23 Championships. She went on to race with the women's eight at London 2012 before winning an Olympic silver medal alongside Katherine Grainger in the women's double scull after an outstanding performance at Rio in 2016. 

What a privilege it was for us to have Vicky Thornley in school today. Thank you Vicky for taking the time to come and talk to us.