Hometown big screen for swimmer's Olympic debut
Oliver Morgan achieved a hat-trick of British backstroke titles last year
- Published
The hometown of a swimmer making his Olympic debut this weekend will be holding a special event including a big screen showing of his race.
Olly Morgan, from Bishop's Castle in Shropshire, will be swimming in the 100m backstroke on Saturday.
A fan zone at Bishop’s Castle Community College will open at 09:00 BST with events running throughout the day.
“It’s taken a lot of organising from a very small committee,” said town mayor Josh Dickin.
He said there would be a range of sports activities from local clubs, and fundraising to help refurbish the town’s swimming pool.
Morgan’s story demonstrated the importance of having swimming pools in rural communities, Mr Dickin added.
“It’s great to see somebody of his magnitude produced out of having swimming lessons at our local pool."
Morgan burst on to the scene at the 2023 British Swimming Championships before earning his first Olympic selection after breaking the British Men's 100m Backstroke record earlier this year, according to Aquatics GB.
His only other international experience is the USA leg of the FINA Swimming World Cup in 2022.
“This just shows that anything can happen if you put your mind to it,” said Mr Dickin.
“Oliver is just an absolute sportsman in his self, and doesn’t forget his roots and always comes back when he can.
“I think the whole of Shropshire should be getting behind Oliver, not just Bishop’s Castle."
Morgan’s first race will be at 10:00 BST, and if he is successful, he will appear in the semi finals at 19:30 BST.
The races will be screened on a big TV at the community college.
People may bring a picnic, and there will also be food vans.
The event is free of charge, but donations will be encourages to help towards the £250,000 cost of the town’s pool refurbishment.
Other athletes from Shropshire competing in the 2024 Games in Paris include hockey player David Goodfield from Shrewsbury, archer Penny Healey from Shifnal, marathon swimmer Hector Pardoe from Ellesmere, runner Charlie Carvell from Bridgnorth and gymnast Alice Kinsella.
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