‘6.49 seconds but 14 years in the making’ – Richard Kilty inspires students at Teesside High

Wednesday 26 June 2019 | By Samantha Hockney

It was an absolute honour to have Olympic athlete and World Indoor Sprint Champion Richard Kilty in school this morning.

Richard led an inspirational assembly on his career before working with our Able, Gifted and Talented Sport students in a small group sprint session.

Richard talked students through his career highlights, including World Indoor Gold (60m), European Championship Gold (4x100m relay), European Indoor Championship Gold (2015 – 60m, 2017 – 60m) and Commonwealth Games Gold (60m). He spoke about his rise through school, from PE lessons in primary school to the English Schools Championship, where he was the fastest schoolboy in the country over 100m for two years during Year 11 and Year 12.

He also discussed his careers lows, including race defeats and sponsorship struggles. Richard reinforced that defeat shouldn’t be seen as a loss, but a lesson. He described his pursuit of success as ‘relentless’; from sleeping on a bedroom floor in London so that he could train with Linford Christie to training so hard that he became injured – but never losing sight of where he wanted to be.

Following the assembly, Richard worked with a small group of our Able, Gifted and Talented Sport students, running through sprint drills to ensure they get the most from their body over even just a short distance.

We are very grateful to Enjoy Tees Valley for organising this special visit.

Richard is helping to raise awareness of the Great North City Games, which is taking place in Stockton in September; an incredible event which will see the world’s best athletes descend on Teesside. Find out more: https://events.stockton.gov.uk/great-north-citygames-stockton-on-tees/