Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Uttoxeter Echo. This column was originally featured in the 18th August print edition.
The Tokyo Olympics is over but those already missing the sporting action won’t have to wait long as from next week you will be able to catch the Tokyo Paralympics. I think we can all say we had reservations about this event taking place after the past 18 months but once more when it arrived that same spirit that was there for London 2012 was ignited once again.
And like then, and in Rio back in 2016, Team GB surpassed all expectations and punched above their weight to come fourth in the medal table, winning medals in sports we had never before been competitive in.
Locally, again we saw the pride of Uttoxeter, Adam Peaty MBE, deliver two golds and a silver medal in the pool for Team GB and from Burton we also saw Frazer Clarke take a bronze medal in the men’s super-heavy weight boxing semi-final. We can be incredibly proud of our two local Olympic medallists, like the whole of Team GB, they have trained incredibly hard and made huge sacrifices to ensure they are at the top of their game when it came to competing for their country.
This weekend the Prime Minister announced a £232 million investment to support Team GB athletes in their training for the Paris 2024 Games. This funding will provide athletes with vital support and coaching to ensure Team GB deliver their best possible performance in the French capital in three years time.
But this funding also comes just a year out from the Commonwealth Games which are taking place here in the West Midlands in Birmingham. This will be a huge moment for our region as the eyes of the sporting world are upon it and this support funding will have an early dividend of helping our athletes compete in this sporting event.
This cash support is very welcome, and I wish all the athletes the very best as they reconvene their training programmes on the path to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and then 2024 Olympic Games. Go Team GB!
