By Ross Karl
The afterglow of Olympic success isn't fading quickly for bronze medallist Peter Taylor, and the same goes for the kids the lightweight double sculler is helping to inspire.
Taylor has been using his newfound fame to help deliver positive messages wherever he can.
“Their eyes light up and there are big smiles when they put it on,” says Taylor about kids who hold his Olympic medal. “If it gets them out playing sport or gives them inspiration to do something a bit better, then I am happy to help out.”
Back home in Lower Hutt, Taylor's passing on tips to kids involved in Sport Wellington's Active Families programme.
It's designed to help kids and their families live a healthier lifestyle.
“It's about getting them to eat better, be more active and know that's it's good for their health,” says nutritionist Paulien Van Geel. “It's not at all intimidating.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Taylor is keen to pass on that children have plenty of time to find a passion.
“It wasn't until my late 20s that I started to achieve and my Olympic dreams started to seem realistic,” says Taylor.
In fact, the next goal is something Taylor's thinking about while taking some time out.
“Once I jump back in the boat, that's me for another four years, so I have to make sure I want to be there firstly and time’s going to tell.”
For now, his community work might just help inspire a future generation of Olympians.
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