CHILDREN from a specialist school placed bronze and met Olympic athletes at a swimming competition.

Students from specialist Durants School, Pitfield Way got a place on the podium at the Panathlon London and Essex Swimming finales the London Aquatics Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The Enfield swimmers tied for third place with Stormont House School, Hackney and pupils from Whitefield School, Walthamstow were crowned winners on Friday, March 24.

The contestants got to meet Paralympian and Panathlon ambassador Liz Johnson.

In her career, Liz won the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, and placed silver in the 2004 Athens Paralympics in the Women’s 100m SB6 category, In the London 2012 Paralympics she placed bronze, was chosen to be the Paralympic oath taker and was honoured by laying the final tile of the London Aquatics Centre ahead of its opening.

Liz said: “The Panathlon offers a competitive sporting environment for all. So often it is seen that for minority or disadvantaged groups, taking part is enough.

“But you can learn so much from competitive sport. In my own swimming career, I have learnt about winning, losing, travelling, new environments and working together in a team.

“Sport can make people confident and resilient and to be able to hold this event in the Olympic Park is just an added incentive for students and staff alike.”

Liz retired from professional swimming ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics while recovering from a hernia operation.

The competitors also got to meet diving legend Tom Daly who was training in the centre on the day of the finals.

He said: “I think it is a fantastic charity. The more people, of all abilities, that you can get involved in sport and health and fitness in a fun and engaging way can only be a good thing.

“And to have this event at the London Aquatics Centre is just another example of the legacy of London 2012.”

Tom won gold at the World Championships in 2009 and 2015 and bronze medals at the London and Rio Olympics.

Durants School caters for 95 11-19 pupils with autism and is accredited by the Nationnal Autistic Society.

Head of upper school Frances Sutherland said: “It is just an amazing venue to compete in. All our students have coped so well with this new environment and the organisation has been brilliant.

“These Panathlon events are so important – particular for students with special needs. It gives them an opportunity to compete which they might not normally have. We only swim seven weeks a year so they have loved it.”