EISS turns Parisian to celebrate Sheffield’s TeamGB
The Paris Games spirit descended on Sheffield as the City celebrates this year’s TeamGB athletes.
More than 20 Olympic and Paralympic athletes who train at Sheffield City Trust venues came together for a special Parisian-style celebration event before embarking on one of the most important moments of their lives.
Since the 2004 Athens Games, over 260 athletes based in Sheffield City Trust venues have been part of TeamGB. The class of 2024 features two Divers based at Ponds Forge, as well as teams in Boxing, Para Table Tennis and Para Badminton, based at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS).
The athletes as well as support teams from the UK Sports Institute and Sheffield City Trust descended at the indoor track at EISS to celebrate the dedication and commitment of the whole team before jetting off to Paris.
Rachel Choong, the first-ever female Para Badminton athlete celebrated the support she’s received from the teams at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield.
“Its great training here, everything’s all in one place; it’s great to have everything nearby and on-site”.
Local Paralympian team-mate Jack Shephard, from Dronfield, said: “It’s a great venue, I’ve been coming here since I was a kid… so now to be here full time, experiencing all the facilities properly, it’s amazing” - Jack Shepherd
Addressing the athletes, coaches, physiotherapists and other support staff, Andrew Snelling, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Trust said: “We are delighted to play a part in your success as you make history in Paris. Everyone at Sheffield City Trust will be cheering you on at every opportunity as you challenge yourself and inspire us all.”
Previous athletes based at Sheffield City Trust venues have created numerous memorable sporting moments, with several gold medal winning performances in recent Games from Anthony Joshua (Boxing, 2012), Jess Ennis-Hill (Heptathlon, 2012), Will Bayley (Para Table Tennis, 2016), Galal Yafai (Boxing, 2020), Lauren Price (Boxing, 2020) and David Smith (Boccia, 2020).
Local diving club, Sheffield Diving, based at Ponds Forge, has a long history of developing Olympic competitors. Yasmin Harper, from Nether Edge, is heading to Paris alongside fellow Sheffield diver Jordan Houlden. With specialist coaching from Sheffield Diving both athletes are also supported by Sheffield City Trust’s Talented Athlete Programme.
David Bly, Sports Programme & Engagement Manager at Sheffield City Trust said: “The aim of the Talented Athlete Programme is to help alleviate some of the pressures athletes face within the world-class environment these athletes are working in. We’re thrilled to have such talented athletes within the city. This elite group work with Sheffield City Trust on initiatives to engage the younger generation and encourage more participation in sports. Their Olympic qualification is testament to their commitment and the support Sheffield offers.”
Sheffield City Council Leader, Tom Hunt, said: “Today is a really special day. Sheffield is a city of sport and we’ve got some incredible facilities which make incredible things happen, and I’m very proud as everyone is to be sending off so many athletes from Sheffield to Paris. We’ll be glued to our screens watching them go for gold”
To celebrate the Paris 2024 Games, Sheffield City Trust are holding Olympic Taster Days throughout the Summer to inspire future generations.