OLYMPIC and Paralympic stars hoped to inspire students to pursue their sporting dreams as they gave inspirational speeches at the opening of a state-of-the-art sports centre.
Olympic gold medal winner boxer Luke Campbell joined teenage-wheelchair sprinter Jamie Carter, from Binbrook, to unveil the Grimsby Institute's new centre at the Nuns' Corner campus.
Students from Havelock Academy, Oasis Immingham Academy, John Whitgift Academy and Brigg and Scunthorpe schools were starstruck as they met their heroes.
Luke, from Hull, who began boxing at the age of 13, said it had taken him 13 years to get his Olympic gold. He has just turned professional and his first match will be this July in Hull.
"You always have your ups and downs in sport, and it's tough but you just have to keep at it to reach your goal," he said.
"All the hard work and dedication I put into my training definitely paid off.
"It was gruelling ... five times a week, three times a day.
"My main goal now is to take the world champion title."
Luke, who took part in ITV's Dancing On Ice last year, said he really enjoyed his day at the Institute.
He added: "I thought the students asked me some good questions.
"If they want to go far in sports, they will have to stick at it and keep training."
Alice Hylton, 14, from Havelock Academy, said Luke and Jamie were inspiring.
She holds the world champion title 2011 for karate and hopes to follow in their footsteps by going to the Olympics. "Their speeches were really interesting and amazing," Alice said.
"It makes me want to go even further with my sport. I train three days a week at Reshapers Gym, in Grimsby.
"I just love karate, it runs in my family. My father, Paul, won a title in India for it."
Joshua Burch, 14, from John Whitgift Academy, is a sports journalist for the school and he managed to get a few words with Luke.
"I have really enjoyed meeting Luke and Jamie today," Joshua said.
"I had my questions down ready to interview them and I will put it on the school's pod cast.
"I wasn't nervous because I have interviewed an Olympic star before. It was a lady from the GB bobsleigh team."
Jamie, 18, also gave a speech. He is in his third year at the Institute where he is studying sport, and he holds British wheelchair sprint records for the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 metres.
"My disability doesn't hold me back – if anything it makes me want to achieve things more," he said.
"Today has been great and the new sports hall looks amazing compared to the old facilities we had.
"Representing GB and putting the kit on during the Olympic Games was something I'll never forget."
The brand new Sports Centre boasts a six-court sports hall, fitness centre with dance studios, a gymnasium, teaching spaces, physiotherapy treatment suite and IT breakout spaces.
Havelock Academy Pupil Euan Morphew, 14, is in team GB for karate.
"Hopefully I'll get to the Olympics – I'd love to," he said.
"Luke is a real inspiration to me, it makes me want to train harder. I'm also inspired by Muhammad Ali."
Mark Hughes, has been head of school sport at the Institute for just over two weeks, he said: "I have stepped in at a great time.
"It is unreal and great to have two sporting stars telling us their interesting stories.
"Students have a lot to learn from them."
ON THE WEB: For a video of Luke at the event, visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk
