Olympic Boxing medallist Anthony Ogogo joined the team at Loughton Leisure Centre for a fun filled afternoon in celebration of Travel to Tokyo, Team GB and Paralympics GB’s Get Set campaign.

As one of the all-star ambassadors for the campaign, the London 2012 Olympic Bronze medallist visited the centre, which Places Leisure manage on behalf of Epping Forest District Council, to share his sporting experiences and inspire children and their families to try new activities and get active together.

Anthony Ogogo said: "It was great to see so many young people getting active and trying out new activities at Loughton Leisure Centre. Whatever your ability, I encourage all young people and their families to try something new this summer and log your activity on the Get Set website as part of Travel to Tokyo."

The event and visit, on Thursday 5 August, centred around an Aqua Splash session, where children competed against the clock and put their balance to the ultimate test as they navigated the gauntlet of inflatable spikes, drops and slippery slides on the centre’s water obstacle course. Afterwards children and their families had an opportunity to ask their questions as Anthony was put in the hot seat for an insightful Q and A session.

Mathew Nicholson, Contract Manager for Places Leisure said; “We were delighted to welcome Anthony to Loughton Leisure Centre and support the Travel to Tokyo campaign. As a social enterprise our aim is to encourage more children to develop a love of sports, opening up pathways and paving the way for our next future Olympians and Paralympians. Across the centres we operate in partnership with Epping Forest District Council we have developed a full range of activities designed to get children and their families active and moving more, including our staycation holiday activity Aqua Splash, where swimmers attempt to get the end of the course without falling overboard.”

Councillor Nigel Avey, Cabinet member for Environmental and Technical Services said: “The Travel to Tokyo campaign is a great programme to help get children and families involved in new activities. I hope Anthony has inspired many to join and continue to make use of the leisure centres in the district even once the Olympics and Paralympics has ended.”