People across Staffordshire are being urged to cheer on top athletes from Staffordshire as they get set to fly the flag for the county at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Swimming legend Adam Peaty, slalom canoeists Adam Burgess and Joe Clarke and cyclists Dan Bigham and Sophie Capewell will all be representing Team GB in their quests to bring gold, silver or bronze back to the county.
Adam, who started his swimming career at the Dove Valley Swimming Club in Uttoxeter, is widely considered the greatest men’s breaststroke swimmer in history. Boasting three Olympic gold medals and eight world titles, he has broken numerous world records in both 50m and 100m breaststroke events.
Joe Clarke started his career at the age of 11 and honed his skills at Stafford and Stone Canoe Club. He made history at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games by becoming the first ever British athlete to win K1 canoe slalom gold.
Adam Burgess became Great Britain’s first ever canoe slalom U23 world champion in 2015. As of 2023, Adam has a total haul of four European Championship and five World Championship medals to his name.
Dan Bigham from Newcastle-under-Lyme is a well-known track cyclist who has previously made history breaking the Hour Record, winning silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and bagging a gold medal at the UCI Track World Championships in France.
Lichfield born Sophie Capewell is considered one of the top sprinters in the cycling world. Sophie made her debut at the 2015 UEC Under-23 and Junior European Track Championships in Athens. Belfast-born Conor Hall, who now lives in Burton-on-Trent, will also be competing for Team GB in archery.
All will be looking to add to their medal collections when the games start in the French capital on later today.
Canoeist Adam Burgess, who is backed by Staffordshire excavator giant JCB, said: “I feel in great shape and am going to the Paris Olympics to win it.
“It’s fantastic to know athletes like me have the backing of our county and our country and it’s amazing to have the sponsorship from JCB.
“To have the support of everyone definitely gives me that extra one per cent.”
