A FORMER Olympic medal winner has urged Flintshire’s young people to get involved in sport.

Kriss Akabusi, double bronze medalist at the 1992 Barcelona games, opened the county’s Festival of Youth Sport yesterday.

Hundreds of schoolchildren got the chance to enjoy an afternoon of sport at Deeside College.

Despite the poor weather youngsters took part in a range of activities including basketball, cheerleading, street dance, tri-golf, mountain biking, girls tag rugby, BMX, cricket, water polo and futsal.

Kriss, who is also a Commonwealth and European gold medalist, said: “We have got hundreds of youths here really excited and even the weather cannot dampen their spirits.

“The fact that the kids are part of this programme means they are already inspired.

“What I’m hoping to do is to encourage them. There are so many advantages for being involved in sport. It is so important to get kids in to sport, it teaches them discipline, determination and being part of a team. I’ve been to Deeside College before so it is good to return.”

The Flintshire Council-run festival is supported by Airbus and Sport Wales and youngsters are being encouraged to keep up with the sports they take up during the programme.

Kriss said: “This is a good example of a public and private partnership with Airbus, Flintshire County Council and Sports Wales.”

World Champion boxer Enzo Maccarinelli and 2009 Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, dancer Aidan Davis, were also at the event.

Paul McKinlay, Airbus Broughton senior manager and chairman of Airbus FC, said: “Airbus believes strongly in supporting its local communities. As chairman of Airbus Football Club I’m proud to see members of the team coaching and exciting children about sports.”