0:00:04 > 0:00:09'East London - just a stone's throw from the Olympic Park.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13'I'm here to witness real legacy in action -
0:00:13 > 0:00:17'to see an example of what hundreds of people across the country
0:00:17 > 0:00:20'are doing to help others enjoy sport.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23'Heroes in my book, and often - too often -
0:00:23 > 0:00:25'the unsung heroes.
0:00:26 > 0:00:44'Sometimes you have to reach out
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Welcome to Hackney Marshes. I've come to take a look
0:00:47 > 0:00:51at a project which is all about getting involved in sport.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53It's about giving them an opportunity,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56an outlet. Who knows, there could be a young person out there,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00a future champion, who's on the road to glory. Hey! Good!
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Welcome to Inspire: The Olympic Journey.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Also coming up today...
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Olympic rowing gold medallist Katherine Grainger
0:01:13 > 0:01:15travels to the Swiss Alps
0:01:15 > 0:01:18to discover the secrets of Britain's triathlon success.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Winter Olympic medal prospect James Woods
0:01:21 > 0:01:24takes Helen Skelton back to where it all began -
0:01:24 > 0:01:26his home town of Sheffield.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Matthew Pinsent meets Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33to hear his incredible rise from rags to riches.
0:01:33 > 0:01:54And we want to inspire you through the stories we tell.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Sports projects are being run all over the country,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00but this one at Hackney Marshes - it's a little bit different.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Come on! Come on, come on...!
0:02:04 > 0:02:07So, I'm with Sab, who is the founder of Salaam Peace,
0:02:07 > 0:02:09responsible for all of this and a whole lot more.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Tell me about the philosophy behind it.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Sport's always been
0:02:13 > 0:02:15a great way of bringing people together. For me,
0:02:15 > 0:02:16Salaam Peace came about
0:02:16 > 0:02:18on the back of 9/11 and 7/7, originally
0:02:18 > 0:02:22to show how sport can show a positive image, not of Muslim,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24but the community as a whole. And also we had events,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27where we bring the Police, the Army, the community all together
0:02:27 > 0:02:30to break barriers. And sport was a great tool,
0:02:30 > 0:02:31and continues to be a great tool.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Come left. Left. Come this way. This way!
0:02:33 > 0:02:38My passion was always around having an impact on my local community -
0:02:38 > 0:02:40whether it was developing young people,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42bringing them into future leadership,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44or just having a positive impact
0:02:44 > 0:02:46on what's going on in my local neighbourhood.
0:02:46 > 0:03:05And using sport - and multi-sport as well -
0:03:05 > 0:03:08who works hard to help others enjoy sport,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11you can put them forward for BBC Sport's Unsung Hero Award.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13The overall winner will join us
0:03:13 > 0:03:17at this year's Sports Personality of the Year Show, in December.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20To find out more, and to nominate your Unsung Hero,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23go to...
0:03:28 > 0:03:31To me, this project draws on everything
0:03:31 > 0:03:35that is good about sport - unity, teamwork, strong work ethic,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38all things you need in top-level professional sport,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41as Katherine Grainger knows only too well.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44After 16 years of working with GB Rowing,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46the Olympic champion now wants to learn from others,
0:03:46 > 0:03:47to see how they operate,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and to discover the secret of their success.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52So, Katherine travelled to San Moritz,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54to spend time with the British Triathlon Team
0:03:54 > 0:04:15at their altitude training base in the Swiss Alps.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17And now, yeah, we know all the routes,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19we have someone cooking for us,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22we have numerous coaches and physios here, and all that kind of thing,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25so it's changed a lot over those four years!
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Ready, guys? Two, three, four,
0:04:29 > 0:04:31five...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34What is the key purpose of this camp?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Erm, this block now is up here - you know, we're at altitude,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40so they're trying to get, obviously, some physiological
0:04:40 > 0:04:43benefit from training at altitude for the four-and-a-half weeks.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46It's also a good time to get away from everything in the middle of...
0:04:46 > 0:04:49in the middle of the season, when things are getting a bit crazy,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51and just focus purely on training.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53What's the hardest sessions you'll do here?
0:04:53 > 0:04:55The hardest session is probably a track session,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58because it's short and intense. The maximum effort you might do
0:04:58 > 0:05:01might be two-and-a-half minutes, but you'll do that
0:05:01 > 0:05:03five or six times, and it will be very hard when you do do it.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Because we're at altitude, when you're finished
0:05:05 > 0:05:25it's hard to breathe afterwards.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27quite as fast, so you're more out of breath, and...
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Yeah, once you come to terms with that, then, just get on with it.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32That looks hard!
0:05:32 > 0:05:34It's great seeing them back training.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36It's so exciting being back at the track,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39seeing professionals at work. I do miss it -
0:05:39 > 0:05:40not that I could do that!
0:05:43 > 0:05:46I was reading something you'd said before, which I really liked -
0:05:46 > 0:05:49that endurance sport is essentially just a form of punishment.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51It is, isn't it? You know, like, it's just...
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Why would you do it? Why would you go out for hours on end?
0:05:54 > 0:05:56But, erm, no, you love it really, you know.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58And I think it takes a sort of...
0:05:58 > 0:06:01a certain person and a certain mind-set to do it, but, er,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05yeah, it's hard work, but it's good fun. I get to come here, so...!
0:06:06 > 0:06:07We didn't see you on the track
0:06:07 > 0:06:10because you were getting physio instead. How is the injury going?
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Yeah, all right. I think this year
0:06:12 > 0:06:14is just a nightmare year for me, really.
0:06:14 > 0:06:34I'm resigned to the fact that every time
0:06:34 > 0:06:37it's nice to have someone there with you, pushing you along
0:06:37 > 0:06:39and going through the same thing with you. Well done, Jon boy!
0:06:39 > 0:06:42'It struck me, even after a lung-bursting track session
0:06:42 > 0:06:45'at altitude, how much the athletes seemed to thrive
0:06:45 > 0:06:47'off the hard graft of training.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49'There's a genuine love of what they do within this team.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54'And away from the track, I could sense a harmonious vibe,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56'real camaraderie - something you don't always find
0:06:56 > 0:06:58'at a professional level.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02'These guys certainly work well, and play well together.'
0:07:09 > 0:07:12'Just 12 hours after the track session,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14'the triathletes are up well before most people in St Moritz
0:07:14 > 0:07:16'to make their way to the pool.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19'This, the beginning of another hard day of training.'
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Right, then, guys, OK...
0:07:23 > 0:07:44So for the main sets, we'll do four 50s descending first of all...
0:07:44 > 0:07:46my nickname was Nemo, so living up to it now!
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Ready, and go!
0:07:48 > 0:07:50It's pretty much nonstop in the pool.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53It's a brutal start to the morning in some ways.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Nice, gentle first few laps, but now they've got going,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59it's absolutely nonstop and against the clock -
0:07:59 > 0:08:02the coach constantly monitoring their speed, constant feedback,
0:08:02 > 0:08:04constant adjustments, so they know how fast they're going.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08And they're going to do this for another hour or so.
0:08:08 > 0:08:09Alistair and Jonny -
0:08:09 > 0:08:10they set the tone.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15They set the example. Erm, and others
0:08:15 > 0:08:18see how hard they have to work, and either buy into that, or don't.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22And by far the majority do buy into that.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25It's just how they behave, how they conduct themselves...
0:08:25 > 0:08:29is a massive influence on other athletes.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35We have that ability to push each other on, and that's great,
0:08:35 > 0:08:55Alistair definitely does love his training, no doubt about that.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Do you love the training, too? Oh, definitely.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59I wouldn't be here if I didn't love the training.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04It's not too hard, is it, for you guys?
0:09:04 > 0:09:07What is it that makes you as good as you are? People always say,
0:09:07 > 0:09:08"It's not luck, you've got to work hard."
0:09:08 > 0:09:11But there's a massive amount of luck. I was extremely lucky
0:09:11 > 0:09:14in the place that I was born, to have the parents to take me swimming
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and running, to bump into the coaches, Jack and Malcolm,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20to have friends that went out running
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and took me cycling all over the Dales -
0:09:22 > 0:09:24extremely luck to have Jonathan.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Not everyone is willing to go through the amount of training you do,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31and the hard graft, I guess, and the highs and lows that...
0:09:31 > 0:09:33elite sport is.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Absolutely. I think I'm lucky that I enjoy the training as well, though!
0:09:36 > 0:09:38It's all luck, it's all luck!
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I loved Alistair's modesty. He genuinely feels fortunate.
0:09:43 > 0:10:04But it's of his own making.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06and training is infectious.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08They inspire the entire team.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15It's been an amazing couple of days following the triathlon team
0:10:15 > 0:10:17and what shines through is two main things -
0:10:17 > 0:10:20just how much commitment and work has gone into every single day
0:10:20 > 0:10:23they spend here, but also how much enjoyment there is.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Everyone here loves their work,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26loves being part of this special team
0:10:26 > 0:10:29and that combination is a sure-fire success.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Whoa! Good running, guys. Good running, guys. Hop on one leg.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38The London Triathlon is also a mass participation event
0:10:38 > 0:10:41with about 5,000 competitors taking part.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Well, there is no shortage of participants down here
0:10:44 > 0:10:46at Hackney Marshes, that's for sure.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Go on. Get it! Get it!
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Whatever happens, I'm hitting this.
0:11:13 > 0:11:19actually having someone who's come as a participant
0:11:19 > 0:11:23100, 200 young people and keeps the flame burning.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24Keep going. Keep going.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30He recognises kids who can take that responsibility
0:11:30 > 0:11:34and how it can change you and how it can give you an added sense of...
0:11:34 > 0:11:36almost like your importance and position.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Did you feel like that when he asked you?
0:11:38 > 0:11:40I felt that because I think I needed that kind of responsibility
0:11:40 > 0:11:43at the time. I think I was going down the wrong path,
0:11:43 > 0:11:44living in East London
0:11:44 > 0:11:47and having troubles at school with people around me
0:11:47 > 0:11:48and things that were going on
0:11:48 > 0:11:50and my behaviour wasn't acceptable at the time.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54So Sab saw that role model side of me and said, can I go and do this
0:11:54 > 0:11:56and I just took it with both hands.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Did the behaviour change then? Oh, yeah. Massively. Massively.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03I saw a massive change in myself. I wasn't getting in trouble in school.
0:12:03 > 0:12:21I focused on my work and school and I just wanted to play football
0:12:21 > 0:12:24to do it yourself, it just comes alive.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Now, fortunately, somehow, I'm going to be a teacher in September.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32Teaching 30 kids? Good luck. Yeah, we'll see how it goes.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35One go that side. One go this side. Open up. Get wide. Get wing.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38If I didn't have Sab and Salaam Peace, I wouldn't be where I am now.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41I wouldn't be helping kids with their behaviour, trying to say,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44"There's two ways you can go and the way you choose is down to you.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47"We can only give you a bit of advice." But using sport as a tool
0:12:47 > 0:12:48is a great thing. Run!
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Are you going to hit this far?
0:12:55 > 0:12:56Wa-hey!
0:12:56 > 0:13:00If hearing Dwayne and Erkan's inspiring story has motivated YOU
0:13:00 > 0:13:04to get active, then visit our website. Go to...
0:13:06 > 0:13:08..to find a sports club near you.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12I promise, you don't need to be a budding world champion,
0:13:12 > 0:13:30you just need bags of enthusiasm.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33the Winter Olympics takes place in Sochi.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37And in James Woods, Great Britain has a genuine medal contender.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38Helen Skelton went to Sheffield
0:13:38 > 0:13:40to visit the world's number one slopestyle skier.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46I've always been a bit of a dreaming sort of person.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51As far as other people watching me and being inspired by what I do...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54I mean, if one person looks at it and says,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57"You know what? I am going to go out and get what I want to do,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00"I'm going to get out and get that feeling," that's what fires me up.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Just being here is nice.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12It's kind of cool not to be in a mountain town for a minute
0:14:12 > 0:14:14and just enjoy being back on the streets that I know.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18How are you doing, dude? Do you miss Sheffield?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21For sure. It's your city.
0:14:21 > 0:14:40I'm nothing like anything in Sheffield.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43at school. Back in the day, we used to go on the trampoline
0:14:43 > 0:14:45He taught me to backflip and things.
0:14:45 > 0:14:46I bought a trampoline for my garden.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48He'd be always doing tricks and things.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50"I'll try that out skiing next time."
0:14:50 > 0:14:51I still just see him as Woodsy
0:14:51 > 0:14:54rather than the world's number one. It's crazy. Mental.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56The question is, can he beat me at table tennis?
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Probably. Let's find out.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01I feel a little bit under pressure to be quite good at table tennis.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Argh! Shouldn't have said it.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Was it hard to say to your parents, you're in school,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10"Actually, I'm not going to do any of that,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12"I'm going to go and be a skier"?
0:15:12 > 0:15:14I think very initially,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18but once they realised what it's all about and they came
0:15:18 > 0:15:21to a few competitions and everything, you know, it's natural.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25It was obviously what I wanted to do and what I was dying to do so...
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Yeah, they were fully on board and it was all organised,
0:15:29 > 0:15:30stayed on my fair share of sofas.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51because that was skiing from then on.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Every moment of every holiday, he was there all day.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I used to go up from work, I used to take him a sandwich at lunchtime.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59So we used to meet up, see what he was going.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02It was great. We'd have a nice little chat in the sunshine.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Did you find you were having to explain to your friends
0:16:06 > 0:16:07what he was getting into?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10We bumped into someone training at the gym the other day.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14He was like, "What do you do, James?" "I ski, actually."
0:16:14 > 0:16:16"Ah, right. That's good."
0:16:16 > 0:16:18And then just started talking about football again.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20I wonder whether in a year's time,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22he'll be talking to me or talking to James...
0:16:22 > 0:16:25You must be phenomenally proud of what he's achieved? Oh, yes.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Bursting with pride because he's achieved a lot
0:16:29 > 0:16:32and he's forged the way himself.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34He's been so determined.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36So, yes, I am proud of him.
0:16:39 > 0:17:01So, this, for you, is where it all started with a birthday party
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Chokes you up a bit. I'm not just putting it on.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07I mean, this was a pretty huge deal, wasn't it?
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Thousands of people must have learnt to ski here.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13British skiing emanated from here for years
0:17:13 > 0:17:18and it WAS where it happened. What's it like seeing it like this?
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Yeah. It's heart-wrenching, if I'm completely honest.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Obviously, I'd heard about it, but this is my first time up and...
0:17:28 > 0:17:32I don't know. Yeah. Gut-wrenching.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35We got some good footage and stuff,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39probably stuff I'd rather not show you,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41like me just being such a chump,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43skiing about here when I was younger.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49I can remember him playing hockey for me in the sixth form
0:17:49 > 0:17:52and he wore the shirt and then these dreadful shorts
0:17:52 > 0:18:11and he got to the ball before the other people and then scored.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13So he was one of these...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15You could see he was going to make it in something
0:18:15 > 0:18:18and if it wasn't skiing, it was going to be something else.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22It's just lovely that his talent's been recognised now.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Some familiar faces down here. Yeah.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29But you guys are used to hanging out in different continents, aren't you?
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Not here in Sheffield.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34A lot of people probably don't appreciate what it is you do.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37So can you just explain what slopestyle is?
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Slopestyle is just a mixture of rails and kickers,
0:18:41 > 0:18:42so just like skateboarding.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Then you get marked on difficulty of your tricks.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48It's really a cool sport. It's really fun to watch.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Since you two got involved in the sport,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52you've done great things for slopestyle in the UK, haven't you?
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Can you put into context what it is they've achieved?
0:18:55 > 0:18:58I think they've sort of achieved the impossible.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01They've taken it to a whole new level,
0:19:01 > 0:19:19but they've also showed
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Well, you can find out how James gets on in Sochi
0:19:24 > 0:19:28because there's full coverage of the Winter Olympics on the BBC.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33Next. Big throw. Well done. Ready?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Pass and move, pass and move. Pass and move.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37Pass and move.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40On the first level, we try and just promote participation
0:19:40 > 0:19:42and give everyone an opportunity.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Not only if they're gifted and talented, but if they're keen,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47because, as you know yourself from your background in sports,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49sometimes it's just getting them there.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Then you might unearth something, it might just give them
0:19:52 > 0:19:53some structure to their lives.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58Sab's project has been so beneficial for this community,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01providing a real outlet for lots of young people.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02And without that outlet,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05who knows how much unfulfilled talent there is?
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Fortunately, one talented youngster didn't slip through the net.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10He was discovered, not here on Hackney Marshes,
0:20:10 > 0:20:31but on a basketball court in Brixton.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Oh, I love Brixton. I love the people, the vibe.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39Brixton is like a microcosm of the world. It's fabulous, it's fun.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41It's great, it's a great place.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Luol's just another in a long line of famous
0:20:43 > 0:20:45luminaries of Brixton town.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48He loves his people, he's not too big for his boots,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51so he can come and jam with his people.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53It's all good, it's all love.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55From South Sudan to South London,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Luol Deng has risen from these
0:20:57 > 0:21:01very streets to become one of the world's biggest sports stars,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04and he's never forgotten where he came from.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07'You have so much pride to tell people you're from Brixton.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'And everywhere you went outside of Brixton,'
0:21:10 > 0:21:12'you know, you carry that on your shoulder. You know,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15'"I'm from Brixton." I appreciate everything I went through,'
0:21:15 > 0:21:17even though it was hard.
0:21:17 > 0:21:41I know that... I'm from South Sudan, that's where I was born.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44to actually believe that they could, you know... Having a tough life,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46you know, doesn't mean that's the end of everything.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49You know, you work hard, you could overcome all that.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52It's very good to see him,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54because in this country, he's the person we look up to
0:21:54 > 0:21:56because he started from here and now he's in the NBA
0:21:56 > 0:21:58and that's what we strive to achieve.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Because we're in England,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01like, you think you can't get far,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04but he made it from England to the States and has been in the NBA,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06so it shows that you can do the same thing.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09I went to Brixton TopCats and trained there
0:22:09 > 0:22:10and I wanted to get better
0:22:10 > 0:22:15and cos Luol Deng used to play for Brixton, my coach knows him well.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18If it wasn't for the Brixton coach, there wouldn't be no Luol Deng.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21You're here and then you rip it, OK?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26It's not often that you see one of the superstars of the game
0:22:26 > 0:22:29shooting some hoops with some South London kids.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53to follow the wrong group, to go and be something I'm not supposed to.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55One day, my brother took me with him to Brixton,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58and I went and played in Brixton. I was about...
0:22:58 > 0:23:0011, maybe, when I started.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05And I started playing and my coach, Jimmy Rogers, he was just,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08like, "You have a chance to be one of the best players to ever
0:23:08 > 0:23:10"come out of here if you really want to play."
0:23:10 > 0:23:14I got drafted by the Chicago Bulls and I've been with them
0:23:14 > 0:23:17for nine years now, going into my tenth season next year.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21COMMENTATOR: Oh, Luol Deng. Now Deng from long range.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24So the Brixton TopCat became a Chicago Bull
0:23:24 > 0:23:28and one of the most valuable players in the whole of the NBA.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32But even from those lofty heights, he hasn't forgotten the one person
0:23:32 > 0:23:35who set him off on the road to stardom.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Jimmy's huge, Jimmy's a tough coach.
0:23:38 > 0:23:59But he was so tough on us that it made everything else easy, you know?
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Another coach with me spotted from his work ethic that he had something
0:24:03 > 0:24:06special about him, that he was going to be a very, very special player.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Our club philosophy is, "Winning is an attitude."
0:24:08 > 0:24:12It's not about winning the game of basketball, it's winning
0:24:12 > 0:24:15the game of life, saying no to the negatives and yes to the positives.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17And he's embraced all of that, Luol.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19What role do you think that sports clubs,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22and yours in particular, play in a place like Brixton?
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Huge, I mean, it's huge.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28I've never done it for the social/keep them off the streets,
0:24:28 > 0:24:29but that is a big factor.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34And the fact maybe we don't say it - we do it, rather than say it -
0:24:34 > 0:24:36is probably the big thing.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39The natural thing to do is that, but it isn't. Yeah.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41You look over the ball at the basket. Go.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43Oh.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46No, no, no.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48One more shot. One more shot.
0:24:48 > 0:24:49Oh!
0:24:49 > 0:25:09What's my future like?
0:25:09 > 0:25:11and to be able to give all these kids hope.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14But we've got to keep on building from here, we've got to try
0:25:14 > 0:25:18to make Rio and even do way better and keep going forward from this.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Basketball's not going to happen overnight.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24It takes a team effort, it takes everyone being together.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26It takes the grass roots being taught right
0:25:26 > 0:25:29and that's what the purpose of all these camps are.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31I just really believe that me coming back here
0:25:31 > 0:25:34and showing how much I appreciate everything I've been through,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38it just allows these kids to believe in themselves and be the next one.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42From refugee to role model
0:25:42 > 0:25:45and President Obama's favourite player,
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Luol Deng runs those sports camps, he has his own foundation
0:25:49 > 0:25:53and he cares passionately about GB Basketball.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57And hopefully in time, we won't just be saying, "Look at him,"
0:25:57 > 0:26:17we'll be saying, "Look at all those people that he's inspired."
0:26:17 > 0:26:20So much to admire from our champions.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24The incredible work ethic of Non Stanford and the Brownlee brothers.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28And the passion of James Woods.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32For me, the real heroes are those who give up
0:26:32 > 0:26:34so much of their time to help others.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37People like Jimmy Rogers, Luol Deng's first coach.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42And Sab Bham, who runs the project at Hackney Marshes.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Both have touched so many lives with the good they've done.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48There's no great financial reward for their efforts.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Instead, something far more valuable - immeasurable pride
0:26:52 > 0:26:54and satisfaction.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56If you'd like to get involved in sport
0:26:56 > 0:26:58then visit our website to find out the nearest club to you.