KENT’S Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes was the star guest at the official launch of the Kent School Games at the Julie Rose Stadium on Saturday.

The Kent Schools track and field championships was the opening event of the Kent School games which has events for able-bodied and disabled youngsters across the county between now and July 6.

The Games are being supported by Kent County Council and P&O Ferries.

Among the sports being featured include rugby, sailing, basketball, badminton, football, golf, hockey, tennis, swimming, table tennis and cricket.

The aim of the games is to encourage more sports participation in schools, showcase future talent and promote fair play and friendly competition.

The opening ceremony provided a riot of colour, music and noise as the teams were welcomed by Kelly Holmes and Kent County Council’s leader Paul Carter who said the Games had blossoming tremendously since their launch last year.

“Schools have shown real commitment to the concept of the Games which is not just about winning but about healthy activity, competition and fair play,” he said.

The Games have also been supported by Paralympians Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Danny Crates.

Dame Kelly said she hoped the Games would inspire today’s children to achieve the ultimate goal of an Olympic medal in the future.