OLYMPIC gold medallist Denise Lewis today called for young people to make more use of open spaces in the county following her visit to Ipswich.

Lewis visited the Holiday Inn, in London Road, on Friday to meet with staff and talk to them about the upcoming Olympic Games. During the visit she gave a talk to staff about how she got into sport.

Speaking exclusively to the Star, Lewis, who won gold in the heptathlon during the Sydney Games, called on young people to take part in sport.

She said: “This is where it starts – it starts in the local community.

“So just get involved, that’s my message for kids – there’s a sport for every young person out there. You have got a lot of open spaces so go out and use them.”

Paul Smith, general manager of the hotel, said: “We always set ourselves high standards and it’s great to hear someone who has achieved a gold medal.”