Olympic Rower Mark Hunter at Bower Park

Former Bower Park student and Olympic gold medal winning rower, Mark Hunter was mobbed by hundreds of pupils as he returned to his former school today.

Mark, who used to live in Collier Row, spent almost the whole day in the school, meeting and talking to the 800 plus children and staff and of course showing off the now famous Beijing gold medal. He also attended classes, school assembly and a question and answer session. He was mobbed by hundreds of pupils during morning break and spent his day constantly signing autographs for the children.

Head Teacher, Mary Morrison said “It was fantastic having Mark back in school today, he is an inspiration to us all, he has proved that with a little hard work and commitment you can achieve whatever you set out to do, we are all extremely proud of him and wish him all the best in America for the next 12 months coaching women’s rowing in Los Angeles”.

Mark and his rowing partner, Zac Purchase crossed the line in first place in the men's lightweight double sculls on Sunday, August 17, winning gold. Their boat crossed the 2,000-metre line in a world beating 6.mins 10.99secs, at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in China in an Olympic best as they beat Greece and Denmark.

School Governor and Ward Councillor, Andrew Mann said “It was a great privilege to meet Mark today, he has achieved something that almost all of us can only ever dream about, he was fantastic in school, taking time out to talk with the children about his achievements and what is was like to be part of the U.K Olympic team”.

Marks visit today was one of his last public appearances in the Borough and the U.K as he heads of to America to start a new job as a rowing coach at the University of Los Angeles.

Before visiting the School, Mark said: "I want to go to the school and to see the teachers and the kids and to give them the opportunity to touch the medal and wear it, so that they can get a sense of how amazing it is to follow a path that you want to go down.

"I've been dying for this day since I started rowing. The national anthem, the flag, it's a dream come true, It feels like a dream has come true and I feel so relaxed and complete because I have achieved the one thing I always wanted “. He went on "Nothing else can ever live up to this moment."