PUPILS at Loretto School in Musselburgh enjoyed a golden opportunity when they met an Olympic champion face to face.

Rowing star Major Heather Stanning MBE delivered the autumn lecture for Combat Stress, the veterans’ mental health charity, last Thursday.

More than 450 people packed into Loretto’s chapel to hear her speak, with great enthusiasm, about her pursuit of excellence in her Olympic and military career as a Major in the Royal Artillery.

Heather, who won gold with her rowing partner Helen Glover in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, also spoke about her drive and ambition to succeed as an Olympian, but not without touching upon the challenges, sacrifices and hard work along the way.

Proving that work and elite sport can be combined, she explained how balancing the two commitments enabled her to stay grounded and balanced.

Heather spoke about her experience of managing competing demands, whilst handling pressure at the highest levels.

Her talk was followed by many questions from the audience and pupils. Parents and members of the public even got the chance to hold her gold medals.

Jonathan Hewat, director of communications at Loretto School, said: “We are most indebted to Heather for delivering such an inspiring and motivational talk. Her take home message was to seize every opportunity.”