Leeds to host champions homecoming for Olympians

Team GB cyclist Katy Marchant (left) from Leeds won gold in the women's team sprint final

Leeds will celebrate the return of the city's Olympic heroes at the end of Paris 2024 with a homecoming event.

Local athletes such as cyclists Tom Pidcock and Katy Marchant have finished the Games with gold medals and they will join team-mates at a civic reception.

Leeds City Council has invited Team GB members based in the region to the event planned for later this year.

Medal winners and other squad members will all be asked to attend, along with local Paralympians.

'Glittering contribution'

Rower Georgina Brayshaw won gold and triathletes Georgia Taylor-Brown, Sam Dickinson and Beth Potter were also on the podium.

Divers such as Jack Laugher and Lois Toulson also train in Leeds and the council said their success proved the city was a "powerhouse of sporting talent".

Councillors paid tribute to the volunteers running community clubs where many of the athletes began their careers.

Abigail Marshall Katung, Lord Mayor of Leeds, said she was "so proud" of the "glittering contribution" the athletes had made.

“Whether they’re from Leeds, or use our superb facilities as a base for their training, every single local athlete flew the flag for the city in tremendous fashion throughout the Games," she said.

"Their achievements have further strengthened Leeds’s reputation as a true sporting city, and I look forward to personally congratulating them, along with our equally impressive Paralympic athletes, at the civic reception later this year.”

The council said the date and details would be announced in due course.

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