Mayor Dan Norris MP has wished the West of England region's Olympic hopefuls good luck in person as they prepare to compete in the Paris Games later this month.

The West of England has a long connection to the Olympics and Paralympics, and athletes from the region will once again be represented this summer.

Mr Norris stopped by the Sports Training Village at the University of Bath to meet some of the region’s swimming, pentathlon and wheelchair fencing hopefuls - three sports Team GB excels at - who all trained in the region.

They include swimmers Freya Anderson and Tom Dean, who both brought home gold in Tokyo in 2021, and who will be defending their titles in Paris, as well as Piers Gilliver - the first British Paralympic champion in wheelchair fencing since the 80s.

Speaking after his visit, Mayor Norris MP spoke about how proud he is of the region’s Olympic and Paralympic successes, and how it has helped put the West on the map.

He said:

“The eyes of the world are on the Olympics, and the whole of the West is united in supporting our Olympians and Paralympians to go for gold.

“Our region has long been represented at the Olympics and Paralympics. Athletes who have trained in our part of the world have been achieving sporting success for decades. That’s something to be proud of. I am delighted that so many more West of England athletes will be performing this year.

“I wish them, and everyone taking part in Paris 2024, the very best of luck.”

Mr Norris added it was a great time for local people to try something new and get involved in local sports. The Mayoral Combined Authority has put together an online map where locals can find out where they can play Paris 2024 sports in their community.

And the Mayor has set a summer holiday challenge to the region’s young people to try as many Olympic sports with a free bronze (two sports), silver (five sports) and gold (ten sports) certificate signed by the Mayor available at www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/be-inspired-by-paris-2024/.

Mr Norris added:

“I hope watching our Olympic athletes take part in Paris will inspire locals across the West of England to follow in their footsteps and get involved in sport.

“There’s a huge range of activities you can get involved in, so take a look at and sign up for something today!"

www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/be-inspired-by-paris-2024/