YOUNG Rowan Harink wore his special running shoes to meet Olympic rowing champion Zak Purchase at St John’s Primary School’s sports day.
The four-year-old who won his race was one of a number of pupils handed trophies and medals on the school field off Paddock Road yesterday.
His mum Linda Harink, from Hurst Close, Wallingford, said: “He was very excited. He wore his special shoes so he could run as fast as possible.”
Headteacher Jane Ratcliffe said: “It was an inspiring sports day, with all the races developed and created by the children themselves. Having Zac Purchase there to spur them on and support them was tremendous for them."
Mr Purchase, originally from Cheltenham, now lives in Wallingford.
At 27, he has seven medals under his belt, one of which he was awarded at London 2012. He raced in the lightweight double scull bagging himself a silver medal. He received an MBE in 2009 for services to sport.
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