Former Olympian Karen Pickering MBE speaks to students at Immanuel College (From Watford Observer)

Former Olympian Karen Pickering MBE speaks to students at Immanuel College

4:03pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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Former Olympic swimmer, Karen Pickering MBE, spoke to students at a Bushey college last week at their annual sports assembly.

Staff at Immanuel College, in Elstree Road, invited Ms Pickering to speak about her long career as a member of the British swimming squad on Wednesday, March 10.

Naomi Cowan, a member of staff at the college, said: “Karen explained that all athletes have to be able to fail, learn from that failure and come back from it even stronger.

“She was really inspiring, the fact she was never the strongest candidate but achieved so much really hit home with the students."

The international athlete has eight World Championship medals, 14 European Championship medals, 38 National Championship titles and 13 Commonwealth Games medals to her name.

She was awarded an MBE for her services to swimming in the 1994 New Years Honours List.

Ms Cowan added: “There were a couple of girls who were really inspired as they were district swimmers themselves, but all of the children really enjoyed it, it was great.”