Stockport is celebrating the triumphant return of Team GB from the Olympics in Rio today after British athletes won an incredible 67 medals at the games, becoming the first team to eclipse their performance at a home games following a medal haul of 65 at London 2012.
Labour Leader of Stockport Council Alex Ganotis said ‘I would like to congratulate the inspirational Kate Richardson-Walsh, who is originally from Stockport, and the whole of the Team GB for their amazing performances during the last fortnight.
‘Winning such a hard-fought gold in the Women’s Hockey was a historic result, and as captain Kate has shown incredible leadership and given years of dedicated service to her sport at four Olympic Games and in winning an amazing 375 caps for her country.
‘It is fitting that Kate’s international career should end with such an extraordinary achievement, and I am sure that the scenes from the Olympic Hockey over the last fortnight will have encouraged more people across the country to take up sport.
‘It was also a proud moment for our borough to see Kate carrying the Union Jack at the closing ceremony on Sunday. Well done to everyone involved with Team GB.’
Great Britain finished second in the medal table at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with an astonishing tally of 27 gold, 23 silver and 17 bronze medals.
It has subsequently been announced that the Olympic and Paralympic homecoming parade to celebrate the achievements of all of our athletes will be held in Manchester in October.
Councillor Ganotis added ‘Greater Manchester now needs to ensure that the legacy of performances such as Kate’s is to encourage more people, whether young or old, to get active and live healthier lifestyles.
‘The success of our elite athletes should not be under-estimated in how it showcases such a wide-range of sports and provides such fantastic role-models for our young people.
‘That’s why it is so vital for Greater Manchester to be developing an agreed framework with Sport England that puts physical activity at the forefront when we take decisions about health and social care interventions.’
Greater Manchester and Sport England have drafted a memorandum of understanding aimed at changing our approach to sport and physical activity across GM in order to improve health, social and economic outcomes, especially focusing on the 677,600 residents across the region not doing 30 minutes of moderate exercise each week.