Leeds celebrated its local Heroes of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics with a special civic reception.
The event, aimed at recognizing the remarkable achievements of competitors from Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire area on the international sports stage in Paris, was held in the banqueting suite of Leeds Civic Hall. The reception saw the presence of distinguished athletes such as Hannah Cockroft, Guillaume Junior Atangana, and Donard Ndim Nyamjua; gymnasts Harry Hepworth and Luke Whitehouse; and divers Lois Toulson, Jack Laugher, Anthony Harding, and Yona Knight-Wisdom.
These athletes shared captivating stories from their experiences at the Games during interviews conducted by sports commentator and former international gymnast Lisa Gannon, delighting the audience of 100 invited guests. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, warmly welcomed the attendees to the event, which was organized by Leeds City Council and supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The civic reception also featured speeches from notable figures including Ed Anderson, HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire; Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles, and culture; Mariana Pexton, interim chief executive of Leeds City Council; and Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.
Together, they extended their congratulations to the Olympians and Paralympians for their stellar performances and expressed gratitude for their role in bolstering West Yorkshire’s reputation as a hub of sporting excellence and ambition. The event also acknowledged the vital contributions of coaches, volunteers, and other pivotal figures who often remain behind the scenes.
Stewart Ross, chair of Triathlon Leeds; Dave Murray, director of performance at Leeds Gymnastics Club; and Marc Holdsworth, head coach at City of Leeds Diving Club, were among those honored for their significant roles in nurturing the kind of world-class talent showcased in Paris.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture said:
“Leeds, and indeed West Yorkshire as a whole, is hugely passionate about sport and that was reflected in the excitement generated earlier this year by the Olympics and the Paralympics. As a city and a county, we have a superb range of sports facilities and an excellent record of staging high-profile sporting events. Add in the natural talent and determination that is in Yorkshire’s DNA and it’s no wonder that we keep producing sportsmen and sportswomen who are at the very top of their respective games.”
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung said:
“I was pleased and proud to have the opportunity to welcome so many of our Olympians and Paralympians to Leeds Civic Hall for this well-deserved celebration of their achievements. Their stories gave us a real flavour of what it’s like to compete at the highest level of sport, with all the rewards and challenges that can bring. It was also great to hear about the dedicated work that is done by coaches and volunteers with our athletes – from grassroots to elite – as they help them realise their sporting dreams. Thank you for making us all so proud.”
Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime said:
“West Yorkshire’s sporting legends did us proud in Paris, and inspired young people right across our communities. Every child deserves the chance to follow in their footsteps and go for gold. That’s why we’re planning to create more opportunities for people in West Yorkshire to get involved in sport.”
Leeds boasts an impressive array of sporting facilities, including the John Charles Centre for Sport in Beeston, the Leeds Gymnastics Club in Seacroft, and the Brownlee Centre at Bodington Playing Fields, which holds the distinction of being the UK’s first dedicated triathlon training site. The city has also hosted a variety of major sporting events in recent years. Notable among these are the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series, and several matches from the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
Local athletes have achieved remarkable success on the global stage, with Yorkshire athletes famously outperforming nations like Jamaica, Spain, and Brazil by securing seven gold, two silver, and three bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics. The civic reception held at Leeds Civic Hall took place just over a month following the end of the 2024 competitions in Paris. This timing was carefully chosen to best suit the packed schedules of West Yorkshire’s Olympians and Paralympians. Among the attendees was Hannah Cockroft, who was joined by her husband and fellow Paralympian, Nathan Maguire, from Salford. The couple was fresh from their wedding the previous Saturday.
Congratulations to all the Leeds Heroes of the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics! Your hard work, dedication, and spirit have not only brought pride to our city but have also inspired countless individuals both at home and around the world. Your remarkable achievements reflect the strength and resilience that characterize Leeds and its people.
We are incredibly proud of each one of you for representing our community on such a prestigious global stage. Here’s to your continued success and to the lasting impact of your accomplishments.
