An Olympic medalist officially opened a new �110,000 gym in Brentwood last week.

Samantha Murray won a silver medal in the modern pentathlon in this year’s Olympic Games.

On Friday she opened the two floor fitness suite at Brentwood School Sports Centre.

Samantha was already familiar with the area after spending some time training at the sports centre in the run up to the Games.

The front wall of the gym includes her quote: “If you have a goal, anything you want to achieve in life, don’t let anybody get in your way, you can do it.”

Samantha, who cut the ribbon in the new gym to mark its opening, said: “I am so proud to open the new gym at Brentwood School Sports Centre. And I’m amazed and honoured to see my quote on the wall amongst sporting heroes such as Muhammad Ali; it has really made my day!”

She said about her medal, “It’s the proudest thing I own. Coming to places like Brentwood and meeting people and showing them my medal, it’s showing them that I’m a girl but I worked really hard, that I knew what I wanted and got it in the end. Anything you want, go and get it, it’s there for you to achieve.”

Paul Morgan, sports centre manager, said: “Meeting Samantha was a fantastic experience, we are so proud that she opened our new development at the sports centre and she has really inspired our members.

“This redevelopment is really moving the sports centre forward and highlights the outstanding sports facilities that we have on offer to the public.”