TOP gymnast Craig Heap brought a touch of the Olympics to All Saint’s RC School’s ‘School Games’ at Huntington Stadium.

The 900-plus pupils involved in the games were given a pre-competition lift by the appearance of Heap, a former Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

The now retired Heap, who represented his country more than 100 times including at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, ran around the track with an ‘Olympic Torch’ to declare the sports day open.

After the pupils had taken part in a full range of track and field events, Heap presented trophies to the winners.

Val French, All Saint’s sports co-ordinator, said: “We were so excited at getting this visit from Craig, which was a prize from the Youth Sport Trust after winning their Young Ambassador competition last year.

“Craig was fantastic. He opened our School Games and then just got stuck in helping to time-keep, starting the races, measuring the long jump, as well as signing autographs and having photos with the pupils.

“He showed off his gymnastic skills by walking on his hands on the fourth leg of the staff versus sixth form relay.

“We are so grateful to him for staying the whole day. What an inspiration to our young people.”

French added: “Our sports day is always the biggest sporting event on our school calendar, with the whole school transferring to the stadium. Craig’s visit made it so special. He was a true star and role model.”