Olympian Mark Hunter inspired students at his old college to reach their full potential.

The gold and silver medallist was the guest speaker at a maximising oppertunities conference at Havering Sixth Form College in Wingletye Lane, Hornchurch last Friday.

Mark said: “To be successful you have to set goals and to reach those goals you have to make changes in your daily routine.

“You also need to keep your self belief, you need to have a passion and a will to succeed.”

Mark, who won his gold medal in the lightweight double skulls rowing event at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and a silver at London 2012 gave students a presentation on his experiences.

He also spoke about how he has motivated himself to become the best in the world at his sport and gave them advice about how to approach challenges in order to make goals become a reality.

Another former student Omotola Oyekoya spoke about the importance of balancing socialising and part time work with studying and advised students who were struggling with their subjects to ask for help so they could be guided back on track.

The event was part of a new initiative by the college to help motivate students to be as successful as possible.