The School Games National Finals took place at Loughborough University between Thursday 30th August and Sunday 2nd September, with Cumbria’s Olivia Mason contesting the Athletics competition.
The 16 year old, who is a student at Keswick School, was part of the England North team and took an impressive victory in the 1500m. In a tactical race, Mason hit the front with 600m to go, not looking back to clinch gold in 4.35.73.
Of her performance, Mason said: “It was a very slow race and my plan was always to take control in the last 400-600m and win. I’m really pleased to win gold as I’ve struggled the last eight months or so but now I’m finally getting back to where I want to be.
“I’ve never been to the School Games before but it’s such as fun atmosphere – you meet so many new people, can catch up with friends and you get to see lots of other sport – it’s really amazing.”
Now in its thirteenth year, the event – featuring over 1,000 school-age athletes – will see some of the most talented schoolchildren from across the UK compete in 11 different sports.
Some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars have previously competed at the School Games before going onto international success, including Ellie Simmons, Jonnie Peacock, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Adam Peaty.
The School Games has provided a fantastic springboard for some of the most talented school-age athletes, with over 200 graduates of the School Games Finals competing at this year’s Commonwealth Games, winning 85 medals.
The Games, which is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and the home country sports councils and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, was established in 2006 after London won the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and formed a key part of the legacy programme.
