For junior world sailing champion Rick Peacock, taking part in the opening ceremony of the Olympics was not only an honour but a perfect way to overcome pre-results day nerves.
Rick, 18, chosen by the European Olympic Committee as one of 28 gifted young athletes to attend the festivities, was given the privilege of holding the Olympic flame on its final route through Athens.
Rick, who sat four A-levels and five AS-levels, needs three Bs to secure his place on a civil engineering course at Southampton university.
His aim is to continue sailing professionally (his first-choice university is handy for the Solent) and is tipped as a future Olympic competitor.
Speaking to The TES before he knew his grades, he said: “My mother will be phoning me with my results. I expect she will be more nervous than me as she is the one who has to open the envelope.”
Stephen Twigg, education minister, said: “This is a fantastic accolade for a pupil who has clearly worked tremendously hard, balancing school and sporting interests. He is a credit to the country.”
