04 September 2008
A heroes’ welcome for city’s Olympians
Manchester City Council has today announced plans for a
celebration in honour of all the city’s sporting heroes who have
recently returned home from the 2008 Olympics and Paralympics.
Manchester will celebrate all the athletes who have trained in
the city over the past four years and who have fulfilled the
ultimate achievement of attending Beijing 2008.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and
Leisure at Manchester City Council said: “We are planning a public
event to enable the people of Manchester to be involved in the
celebrations and to congratulate the collective achievements of all
the team. It gives everyone the chance to see their favourite
sporting stars who have made their mark on world sport this summer
and to welcome them home in a fitting manner.
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “This
celebration is about pride in all our athletes and the phenomenal
achievement of all those who participated in the Olympics and
Paralympics. It’s also in recognition of everyone involved in the
outstanding success we enjoyed in Beijing – from coaches to
physiotherapists - and the part they played in helping Great
Britain to glory. I’m tremendously proud of all that Manchester has
achieved and the way in which the city has been represented.”
The event is being supported by the NWDA.
Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing at the NWDA, said:
“I’m delighted that we have the opportunity to celebrate the
achievements of our homegrown heroes. The Beijing Games were hugely
successful not only in demonstrating the Northwest’s exceptional
sporting talent but also inspiring everyone in the country as we
look forward to the opportunities for the region to benefit from
London 2012. Let’s use the inspiration of Beijing to ensure we
engage with the pride, passion and spirit of the Games.”
Manchester has a sporting legacy that is internationally
renowned as home to the Velodrome, the origins of the country’s
cycling success, the National Centre for the Paralympic Swimming
Team at the Manchester Aquatic Centre and also the English
Institute for Sports, and the celebrations will recognise all of
the city's successes culminating in Beijing 2008.
For more Manchester City Council information visit www.manchester.gov.uk
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Claire Keegan in the Press
Office on 0161 234 4014.