Olympic golden boy Adam Peaty calls on Fareham youngsters to be Team GB stars of the future

Adam officially opened the new £9m Holly Hill leisure centre in Sarisbury Green yesterday.

The 21-year-old swimmer who won Great Britain’s first gold medal of the Rio 2016 games this summer with his victory in the 100m breastroke, breaking his own world record, visited the new facility to unveil a plaque commemorating its opening.

He also gave a speech and gave tips to young swimmers during a session in the 25m pool.

Adam told The News: ‘It’s great to be able to come down here and help inspire the next generation.

‘This is a very good facility, much bigger then the first pool I ever swam in. It’s fantastic to see a council putting funds into vital facilities like this big swimming pool.’

According to Everyone Active, which runs the centre, more than 800 people have signed up for swimming lessons in the pool with the centre now home to more than 1,900 members, less than two weeks after opening to the public.

Adam added: ‘Having a facility like this will be a massive boost to the community and hopefully produce the next stars of Team GB over the next four and eight years.’

After his sessions in the pool, Adam stuck around to talk to members, take pictures and sign autographs.

Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled to have Adam here as he will prove to be an inspiration to the young swimmers. He’s a lovely guy and is interested in getting people involved in swimming, which is fantastic.’

Ian Cook, Everyone Active’s area contract manager said: ‘It’s incredibly exciting for us to have Adam here as we think he will prove to be a big inspiration for our members and hopefully get more people in the pool.’

The new centre in Barnes Lane also features a learner pool, gym, exercise room, a cycling and a dance studio.