Olympics chief Sam Ramsamy made an inspirational speech to students at the school he used to teach at before attending the official launch of the borough’s new sports centre.
The International Olympic Committee member dropped in at Richard Alibon Primary School in Dagenham on Tuesday for a tour of the grounds.
Mr Ramsamy said: “It’s good to be back in the borough where I have many fond memories.”
The South African taught at the Alibon Road school between 1966 and 1968 and again between 1972 and 1973.
His career began as a school teacher and physical education lecturer and he later went on to become a prominent anti-apartheid campaigner, eventually leading the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee.
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