Leeds Girl, 8, chosen as Team GB mascot for Paris 2024 Olympics

Alice says she is "nervous but excited" about the opportunity

An eight-year-old girl from Leeds has been named as one of six Team GB "Mini Mascots" for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Alice said she was "nervous but excited" about the opportunity.

The mascots will help rally their local communities to support Team GB in the run up to Paris.

A Team GB spokesperson said it received more than 20,000 entries to support its athletes at the Games, which take place from 26 July to 11 August.

Alice, who will be one of the youngest mascots, told BBC Radio Leeds: "I'm nervous but excited to support Team GB."

The judges said Alice had impressed them with a video talking about her passion for sport as part of her entry.

On being selected, she said: "I was really proud of myself because I did work really hard doing the one-minute video.

"On the video I was really nervous and thought I wouldn't get in but when I found out I was really happy and proud of myself."

Canoeist Mallory Franklin pictured with the Mini Mascots who will support Team GB in Paris

Alice's favourite sports are badminton, swimming and football, but she revealed a totally different future career is in her sights.

"I would really like to be a banker and support my family," she said.

"I think my brother is going to be an athlete."

Alice and the other mascots were introduced to canoe slalom Olympic silver medallist Mallory Franklin after they made their own piece of Team GB history.

They will also get the chance to support the athletes in Paris.

Primary school pupil Alice revealed her friends were "really happy" for her, adding: "They are super excited".

Ms Franklin said the Mini Mascots initiative was "important" to get kids involved in sport and "give athletes like myself even more motivation to succeed this year".

She added: "I may be biased, but the Olympics is incredibly fun and I am excited for them to experience this in a never-seen-before way."