Councils strike gold
- Published: 20 August 2008 13:27
- Author: Louise Hunt
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 20 August 2008 13:45
Councils across the UK are celebrating their contribution towards Team GB's medal haul at the Beijing Olympics.
Liverpool City Council is sharing the triumph of one of its maintenance employees David Price, who has already won bronze in the superheavyweight boxing quarter-finals and is going for gold.
Price is a member of its Elite Sports Scholarships scheme, which provides employment, financial and training support for the city's best athletes.
Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council leader, said: "David's medal success at the Olympics is testament to all the hard work he's put in to reach the very top of his sport. I'm sure the whole city will be cheering him on during his final bouts. David is a great ambassador for the city and for boxing. He is a hugely talented sportsman who will go far.
"I am proud the city council has been able to help David achieve Olympic success. Our Elite Sports Scholarships are all about investing in Liverpool's future sporting champions. David has this week repaid this investment tenfold."
Double gold winner and Olympic record breaker Rebecca Adlington is the product of a swimming development programme funded by Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.
"The swimming development programme is second to none in terms of spotting talent," said a Mansfield DC spokeswoman.
Ms Adlington was part of the Nova Swim Squad in Mansfield for eight years before graduating to train with other elite athletes and Notts CC funded swim coach Bill Furniss. Nottingham City Council provides free swimming to the Nova squad at three city pools, to contribute to their training programme.
A spokeswoman for Nottingham City said the council is "incredibly proud to have supported athletes who have taken part and achieved medal success in the Beijing Olympics and is committed to continuing to provide first class facilities where olympic hopefuls can train in future."
The Victoria Leisure Centre pool where Ms Adlington trained has also been given a stay of execution. It was due to be closed earlier this year as part of an £18.5m leisure centre transformation programme to provide fewer but better leisure services in the city.
But after local protests the council has decided to replace the old centre with a new swimming pool that will form part of a major redevelopment scheme for the Sneinton area.
Vale of Glamorgan Council is also crowing over its part in producing Britain's first gold medal success clinched by Nicole Cook in the women's cycling road race.
Anthony Ernest, cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said: "Nicole's achievement is just wonderful and proves dreams do come true. I am aware that Nicole has worked extremely hard to achieve this gold medal and has had setbacks along the way. She has however remained focused in her goals and is an inspiration to all young people in the Vale.
"The Vale of Glamorgan Council has given Nicole assistance in the past with free use of the leisure facilities through our Academy scheme which supports talented local athletes. We are all thrilled that her talent and dedication to the sport has been recognised globally with this gold medal win at the Beijing Olympics."
A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: "Britain is right to be proud of the haul of medals competitors have won in Beijing so far, and it's a number which our paralympians are sure to increase further.
"Many local councils can feel proud of the part they are playing in supporting our athletes, whether in terms of grants or offering free access to facilities. These success stories are just the start. Levels of investment are growing as 2012 draws nearer, and dozens of young competitors are already benefiting from council support we hope will give them the edge for the games in London in four years' time."
More than 400 councils will be participating in flag-raising events on August 24 to mark the end of the Beijing Olympics and handover to the London 2012 games.
Commenting on the period ahead, Chris White, chair of the LGA's culture, tourism and sport board, said: "Authorities are already investing in sports facilities and promoting healthier living to ensure the legacy of the Olympic Games will be long-lasting. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for every part of the country to enjoy a boom in business, tourism and sporting excellence, and councils are ready to seize the opportunity."
