Lucky swimmers from Royston had the chance to pick the brains of five-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty at a special race clinic.

The 10 lucky youngsters, all part of Royston Swimming Club, were at the London Aquatics Centre for the afternoon where Peaty led a special training session looking at race strategies and mental fitness, land training, warm-up techniques, fuelling and nutrition talks. 

Peaty started his race clinics in 2019 with the aim to revolutionise the normal clinic and make it something that people had never seen before - teach young swimmers how to race.

And he knows whereof he speaks.

The 28-year-old is one of only six British swimmers to have won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, the World and European Championships as well the Olympics.

He is also the current world record holder for 50m and 100m breaststroke.

And it wasn't just him either as he brought along some of his GB team-mates to help with the half-day experience - James Guy, Olympic butterfly and freestyle swimmer, Luke Greenbank, Olympic backstroker and relay swimmer, and Anna Hopkin who won gold as part of the British team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the mixed 4×100m medley relay, setting a new world record in the process. 

The swimmers then got to put it all into action with a simulation race.  

The competition places were won by Lily and her mum. 

Lily said: "My heart was racing when my mum said she had won the competition and on the weekend I was so ready. 

"My heart was in my mouth when I saw my idol.  I learned a lot and the race at the end was unforgettable.

"You go to fist-bump all the Olympians. It has given me so much confidence."

Royston head coach Ciara Droy added: "Understanding race strategies is a critical part of a swimmer’s performance on race day, when the pressure can be intense, so this was a fantastic opportunity for them.

"The club is very grateful for our swimmers being afforded this type of experience."

Royston Swimming Club are based out of Royston Leisure Centre and has achieved success at county, regional and even national and international galas over the years.

Run almost entirely by dedicated volunteers, the club is on the hunt for one or two local businesses to sponsor, or make a donation towards their 2023-24 gala season, something they believe is a fantastic way to promote health and wellbeing within the community.

Anyone interested should contact the secretary at www.roystonswimmingclub.co.uk or by emailing secretary@roystonswimmingclub.co.uk