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be a universal tool for social change, development and peace.A rowing bronze medallist with the USA women’s eight at Montreal 1976, DeFrantz joined young athletes at the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon where the rowing events will be held at next year’s Games. While on the water, she spoke about the positive benefits that come from participating in sport.At the Brazilian Naval School, meanwhile, Bubka and El Moutawakel held training sessions in the athletics events in which they became Olympic champions. Bubka, the pole vault champion at Seoul in 1988, said: “Nobody is born an Olympic champion – you become a champion if you have focus and really dedicate yourself. I believe that having this contact with people who have already experienced all this can be a good lesson for those who are starting out.”El Moutawakel, who became the first African and Muslim woman to win gold with her 400m hurdles victory at Los Angeles in 1984, told the athletes: “Sport has many values. It teaches you about determination, about passion, about self-esteem. This is the school of life.” ■ATHLETICSAthletes at the Brazilian Naval School also received some expert advice from Olympic champion Nawal El MoutawakelROWINGAnita DeFrantz takes to the waters of Rio’s Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon with some aspiring young rowersATHLETICSSergey Bubka gives some tips on how to become an Olympic pole vault gold medallist at the Brazilian Naval SchoolOLYMPIC REVIEW 49