Budding athletes were given the chance to spend the day with Olympic stars at Lord Butler Fitness and Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden.
On Wednesday, October 26, teenagers aged between 15 and 19 met Team GB athletes Max Whitlock OBE and Tom Dean MBE as part of 1Life's Aspiring Athletes initiative.
The teenagers picked the athletes' brains about life at the top of sporting success, and had a chance to take photos with their Olympic medals.
1Life launched Aspiring Athletes earlier this year in partnership with Max and Tom, to support young athletes to achieve their dream of a career in elite sport.
As well as meeting their Olympic heroes, the chosen athletes were granted free use of 1Life facilities for a year to support their training.
One of their parents or guardians will also be given a free membership so they can make use of the facilities while their child trains.
Max said: "I wish something like this was on offer when I was younger.
"Teenage years are such a crucial time for any athlete and being able to speak with someone who has been there and done it before is hugely valuable.
"I really hope our insight, as well as the brilliant levels of support 1Life is providing, helps these athletes achieve their dream."
Max and Tom also paid a surprise visit to the centre's Fit for Sport group - a childcare programme which aims to keep children active during school holidays.
Tom said: "I had a really similar progression to a lot of these athletes here today as I actually started my swimming journey at 1Life’s Willesden Sports Centre.
"I always think that if you can see it, you can believe it and I really hope the athletes have taken motivation away from hearing about our journeys and that we encountered similar hurdles to them."
The event concluded with an informal lunch, which gave the teenage athletes the chance to ask questions and get to know the professionals on a more personal level.
This is the first year of Aspiring Athletes and if it is successful 1Life will look to rolling it out again next year.
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