THE man who will start the 100 metres final at the Olympic Games has been telling York children they don’t need to be an athlete to succeed in sport.

Alan Bell holds the hopes of world champion Usain Bolt and his rival sprinters in his hands when he fires the starting gun to get the world’s blue riband athletics event under way in London on August 5.

In a visit to York High School, on Cornlands Road, on behalf of the Youth Sport Trust, the 61-year-old said youngsters can also achieve their dreams in the sporting world by volunteering and by becoming officials.

“Part of my role at the Youth Sport Trust is to encourage people to be involved in sport – even if they are not a performer,” he said. “I’m not a role model, I’m an example, and the Trust is encouraging me to be involved in events like we have had at York High School.

“I meet young people who are nuts about sport but who never think about becoming officials. I can say to them that I have been all around the world, have met the legends, had a great life and immense enjoyment and there’s no reason why they can’t have it as well.

“That’s the message I give. It’s gracious that the school are pleased I am here but it is also important that the school are giving that message to kids. Sport is something that will, and can, make your life better.

“You don’t have to be just a successful performer. To be involved in sport is vital. I leave people with a question. Would sport in this country, at any level, survive if it wasn’t for volunteers?”

Dave Ellis, headteacher at York High School, said: “From the pupils’ point of view, the way that we use sport in this school is to inspire young people to be the best they can be at whatever that is – whether it is sporting performance, being an official or just in their everyday lives.

“For them to have the opportunity to meet Alan helps us to get across exactly that message. We are the only sports college in the city and some people interpret that as meaning that we are only interested in sporting performance.

“But, for us, sport is much more. It’s about being your best. It’s about determination and courage, being part of a team and taking responsibility for yourself. In Alan’s role, he exemplifies those things and people can easily identify with top athletes but, to understand the importance and effort that somebody like Alan puts into their sport to do the things he does, he is a really good example for young people.”