CHAMPION oarsman Matthew Pinsent warned academic prize-winners at Watford Grammar School for Boys against pushing themselves merely for glory's sake, last week.

Instead they should strive for the best possible achievements for themselves, said the twice Olympic gold winner on Thursday.

After handing out almost 90 awards for academic and sporting achievements and services to the school, Mr Pinsent said: "If one of you legged off with one of my medals it would not change the fact that I am an Olympic champion and my motivation is not to do with the medal, but my achievement.

"I can't put into words how good it feels to stand on the podium and receive an Olympic medal and hear the national anthem.

"But, it wasn't the medal I was competing for.

"It isn't about the medal, it isn't about competing to win the tangible asset, it's about the way it makes you feel inside and the way you feel about yourself.

"In the same way the reason these prizewinners are doing what they are doing isn't because of what is in the envelope. It is the way it makes them feel."

Mr Pinsent shot to fame after his remarkable partnership with Steve Redgrave netted the duo two gold medals at the Barcelona and Atlanta Games.

He was special guest of honour at the boys schools' senior prize-giving ceremony on Thursday, last week.

Headteacher Mr John Holman summarised the achievements of the past academic year, which, he said, was the best ever in terms of examination results.

Mr Holman also sought to define how Watford Grammar School for Boys was comprehensive.

"If this is a comprehensive school, it's a school whose students have comprehensive talents, and not least sporting ones," he said.

Reflecting on the school's sporting prowess, Mr Holman added: "The comprehensive activity in this comprehensive school is sustained by our wonderfully dedicated staff.

"If this is a comprehensive school it is comprehensive in the cultural and religious communities it contains and which enrich us all."

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