Duncan Goodhew coaches youngsters at new pool in Chester-le-Street

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Former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew gave youngsters a coaching session to mark the refurbishment of their pool.

The pool, at Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre, is now more energy efficient after British Gas upgraded the building’s heating and lighting.

Duncan, 56, whose son is studying at Northumbria University, said: “Modernised heating and ventilation means the pool here in Chester-le-Street is a nicer place for users and the council has a smaller energy bill, so everyone’s a winner.

“I hope people in the area 
will take advantage of what’s 
been done by making use of the pool.”

Duncan, who won Olympic gold in 1980, added: “I run a number of coaching projects aimed at 
getting youngsters into swimming.

“There are also a number of companies, such as British Gas, who ask me to help with their swimming-related projects.

“In some ways I’m more involved in swimming now than when I won the gold medal.

Image courtesy of Steve Bowbrick, CC BY 2.0