KIDS at a Wee County primary school were surprised by the appearance of two Olympian and Commonwealth athletes in their class.

Alva Primary School welcomed Olympic swimmer Keanna MacInnes and Commonwealth runner Hayley Haining in on Tuesday, August 10.

The world-class athletes discussed their careers, what it’s like at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games and how they prepare for training.

The visit was organised by Lorraine Gribben, who teaches the additional support needs kids within the Ochil Class at Alva Primary.

She told the Advertiser: “The kids had learned about the different flags – Scottish, Olympic, Commonwealth – so everyone was waving their flags as the women came into the hall.

“The kids asked them questions which Keanna and Hayley answered brilliantly before leading a training session for them.

“They talked them through some stretching exercises, how to do a warmup and spoke about the difference in training for swimmers and runners.”

Keanna trains with the University of Stirling and made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, making it to the semi-finals of the 100m and 200m butterfly events.

Hayley was on the reserve list for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and featured heavily in the Commonwealth Games, coming 13th in Glasgow 2014 and becoming the oldest athlete to represent Scotland for track and field.

The visit from the athletes tied in nicely with the school’s topic – wherein they have been researching and learning about the Olympics and the Paralympics.

The pair went through the full school, speaking to different classes across all age groups.

Towards the end, the two athletes visited the Ochil Suite, which is the section of the school which teaches kids with additional support needs.

Lorraine went on: “The kids in the Ochil Suite were fascinated by the medals and they had a question-and-answer session with them.

“The children were stopping them in the corridors to ask for autographs and they were blown away that these superstars were in to speak to them.

“Parents said the kids wouldn’t stop talking about it when they went home, there was such a buzz about the school and it was amazing.”