Wallingford School was delighted to welcome Olympic gold-medal-winning triathlete Alex Yee for a day of engaging talks and discussions with students in Years 11 and 13, as well as many of the school's most committed young athletes. The visit - made possible through the support of the Merchant Taylors' Company - proved to be a memorable and inspiring event for the whole community.
The morning session, aimed at Year 11 and 13 students, focused on the "life lessons" Alex has gained through his career as a high-performance athlete. He spoke about navigating challenges, managing pressure, and developing resilience - messages that resonated strongly with students approaching the final stages of their GCSE and A Level journeys.
Reflecting on this session, Year 13 students Wilfrid and Ronan said,
"Yesterday we had the privilege of being joined by Alex Yee, a Great British triathlon athlete and marathon runner… Alex spoke openly and generously about his experiences as an elite athlete and life beyond sport. He was an absolute inspiration, and I think we all took something valuable away from his visit."
Later in the day, Alex led a sports-science-focused discussion attended by around 100 of the school's top sports performers. This session explored the physiological, psychological, and technical demands of elite competition. Students were able to connect their academic studies with Alex's real-world experiences, gaining insight into how theory translates into practice.
Year 13 student Alexa reflected on the impact of both sessions:
"We welcomed Alex Yee, Olympic triathlete, for two insightful talks into the life of an elite athlete. In his talk, he shared about overcoming struggles like injury, dealing with motivation and finding a work-life balance… In the afternoon, A Level and BTEC Sport students were able to listen to a discussion between Alex and Mr Dodson, which looked at the sports science aspect of Alex's life, which provided us with understanding in how learning points in our course can be applied to an athlete's life."
Throughout both sessions, Alex was friendly, open, and humorous. He fielded a wide range of questions - from the final metres of the Paris 2024 Olympic triathlon to his diet, training routines, recovery practices, and even lighter topics such as gaming (he enjoys Fortnite), avoiding energy drinks, and supporting Crystal Palace. His engaging and personable style made the experience enjoyable as well as informative.
Staff highlighted how much students benefited from the day, with many commenting on Alex's humility, authenticity, and ability to speak meaningfully about both sport and life beyond it. The podcast-style format, led by Mr Lamb and Mr Dodson, helped to create a relaxed but thoughtful atmosphere that encouraged excellent conversation.
The school extends its sincere thanks to Alex Yee, his team, and the Merchant Taylors' Company for making the event possible. Alex's visit left a lasting positive impact on students and staff alike, offering inspiration not just for sporting success but for personal growth, determination, and balance in all aspects of life.
