Britain's Olympic heroes have traded their tracks and fields for school halls, serving up inspiration and a vital message about the power of a good breakfast. A delegation of Team GB medallists, including Christine Ohuruogu, Eve Muirhead, Laura Deas, and Georgia Hunter Bell, visited pupils across the country to discuss how proper morning fuel is fundamental to success, both in sport and in the classroom.
The Breakfast Gap in UK Classrooms
The initiative comes as stark research from the national charity Family Action reveals a troubling trend: between 20 to 30 percent of school children regularly skip breakfast. This is compounded by the fact that 18% of UK children live in households experiencing food insecurity, meaning an average of five pupils per class may start the day without adequate nutrition. The athletes are collaborating with Quaker Oats and the charity Magic Breakfast to tackle this issue head-on, emphasising that children who miss their morning meal often struggle with concentration and energy throughout the school day.
From Olympic Podiums to School Desks
The champions visited three schools, sharing personal stories and a warm bowl of Quaker porridge with the children. Olympic gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu, a London 2012 track star, spent time at St John’s CE School in London's Tower Hamlets. She explained, "A good breakfast gives you the energy, focus and confidence to push through challenges - whether that's training for the Olympics or getting ready for school. I want every child to know that small, healthy habits can lead to big dreams."
Meanwhile, skeleton bronze medalist Laura Deas and curling gold medallist Eve Muirhead headed to the Co-Op Academy in Swindon. Laura highlighted the direct link between nutrition and performance, stating, "In my sport, you rely on sharp focus and split-second reactions - and that starts with the right fuel. Skipping breakfast simply isn’t an option when you want to perform at your best."
Eve Muirhead, a five-time Olympian, added a crucial message about self-belief: "Breakfast sets me up mentally and physically for the day ahead. It’s so important that young people, especially girls, understand that fuelling your body properly is part of believing in yourself."
The Proven Impact of a Morning Meal
The partnership underscores the tangible benefits of breakfast programmes. Magic Breakfast currently supports over 300,000 children and young people every day across England and Scotland by providing healthy breakfasts and expert advice to schools. The impact is measurable: research shows that Year 2 pupils offered a free, nutritious Magic Breakfast achieved an average of two months' additional academic progress compared to peers without such provision.
Josephine Taylor, head of marketing at PepsiCo, which owns Quaker, reinforced the campaign's goal: "At Quaker, we want every child to have the fuel they need to reach their potential. Working with Team GB and Magic Breakfast allows us to show how a simple bowl of porridge can make a powerful difference - from helping children focus in lessons, to powering Olympians on their journey to the world stage."
The final visit saw middle-distance runner Georgia Hunter Bell, a bronze medallist from Paris 2024 and a World silver medalist, join pupils at St Joseph’s RC Junior School in Croydon. She connected her athletic journey directly to daily habits, stating, "To achieve your potential, fuelling your body and mind is a non-negotiable. We can’t win Olympic medals for Team GB if we are not eating a nutritious breakfast before a big day of training. It’s so crucial children across the UK build those healthy habits from a young age."
