A Commonwealth Games gold medallist has opened a sports hall at her former school in Hemel Hempstead.

Ondine Achampong won a gold medal in the Women's team gymnastics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The gymnast also won silver in the Women's All-Around and Women's Floor Exercise events.

At just 18, she was the youngest member of England's gymnastics team to participate in the games.

Herts Advertiser: Staff and members of the school's basketball club attended the opening.Staff and members of the school's basketball club attended the opening. (Image: The Hemel Hempstead School)

Ondine studied at Heath Lane's The Hemel Hempstead School, and achieved "outstanding grades in her A-Level exams while training for the games".

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Upon opening the facility, she said: "I’m really honoured to have been asked to open the new sports hall, especially after attending The Hemel Hempstead School for seven years and going to PE lessons every week for most of that time.

"I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at The Hemel Hempstead School who has supported me through my time here, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today."

                                                                                                

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The school's headteacher, Neil Hassell, added: "We are incredibly proud of Ondine and all her fantastic achievements at the World, Commonwealth and European Championships.

"She is an inspiration to students across the school - hard work, determination and ambition can lead to huge success in gymnastics and in A levels - whilst also being a kind, caring and wonderful person too."

The sports hall has since hosted a number of community organisations, including basketball club 'Hemel Storm' and 'K-Gymnastics'.

For information about letting the facility, visit the school's webite.