Parades announced for Rio stars
A PARADE to celebrate the outstanding success of Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the Rio 2016 Games will take place in Manchester on October 17 and in London a day later.
Team GB won 147 medals including 64 gold at the Paralympics and 67 medals at the Olympics as both teams smashed their medal hauls from London four years to finish second in their medal tables.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch said: “I know that Manchester – a city with a rich sporting history – and London – with its strong links with the Olympic and Paralympic Games – will host brilliant celebrations that will give the British public a chance to say thank you to our amazing athlete heroes.”
Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission said: “This will be a very proud moment for all Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes and rich reward for such fantastic efforts at the recent Games in Rio.
“We appreciate the invitation from Her Majesty’s Government and have no doubt Manchester and London’s celebrations will be a fitting tribute and culmination of an incredible last couple of months.”
Penny Briscoe, Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB said: “The ParalympicsGB team have delivered an amazing, awe-inspiring performance in Rio at this Paralympic Games. We have had the most competitive team at the most competitive Games.
“We know those performances have excited and energised the public back home and so it is right and fitting that in both Manchester and London the athletes will receive a welcome from those cities and the public can see some of their heroes back on home soil. We believe that the performances of our athletes help to inspire a better world for disabled people.”
Cllr Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “As a great sporting city, the home of British cycling and taekwondo and the GB Paralympic swimming team, Manchester is honoured to be hosting the national parade for Team GB and ParalympicsGB.
“We look forward to welcoming people from all over the country for a spectacular celebration of the achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic heroes and to share in an unforgettable day.
“Maybe seeing the stars of Rio on our streets will inspire spectators to follow their own sporting dreams and become the medalists of the future. We’re proud that the elite facilities here, such as the National Cycling Centre in east Manchester, can also be enjoyed by anyone getting into the sport whatever their level.”
