Olympic champion unveils new school playground

Emily Craig won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Olympic gold medallist Emily Craig has unveiled a new playground at a school in Kent.

Craig, who won gold in rowing at the 2024 Paris games, opened the newly-refurbished play area at Chiddingstone Primary School.

The Pembury-born sportswoman spoke to pupils there about growing up in the area and learning to row at Bewl Reservoir nearby.

She said: "If these kids can see it is possible, that we are just people that are dedicated, then who knows who's going to be inspired."

Craig won gold with her rowing partner Imogen Grant

"They're so excited and inquisitive," she said of the children.

She described their questions as "amazing", saying one pupil had asked her what would happen if she hit a duck while on the water.

The new playground includes restored artificial turf which has been funded with £20,000 raised by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

Its fundraising activities involved an all-school Olympics Day in June, where Craig gave a video address in which she promised to visit pupils in-person after Paris.

Craig won gold with partner Imogen Grant in the lightweight double sculls category.

The pair narrowly missed out on a medal at the 2021 Tokyo Games, coming in fourth place.