Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Sport | Posted on October 22nd, 2024 | return to news
Celebrate Olympic and Paralympic heroes in parade across BCP Council area
The parade on Monday 28 October will start in Christchurch at 10.15am and go across the conurbation to Poole.
Local people can celebrate the success of local athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games at an event being organised by BCP Council on Monday 28 October.
The athletes will travel on an open-top bus through Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, stopping at some BCP Leisure sites along the way. Although it’s not a formal parade, residents are welcome to wave from their doorsteps or join in at the leisure centres.
Five extraordinary athletes will join the event: Bryony Page (Gymnastics Trampoline, gold medallist), Izzy Songhurst (Gymnastics Trampoline), Jack Eyers (Paralympic Canoe, silver medallist), Leo McCrea (Paralympic Swimming, gold medallist), Matt Aldridge (Rowing, bronze medallist).
The celebration kicks off at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre at 10.15am, where they will meet supporters before boarding the bus to embark on their journey through the area, visiting Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre at approximately 12.05pm and arriving at Rossmore Leisure Centre at around 1.55pm, where there will be a short closing ceremony to thank the athletes, finishing around 3:05pm. Residents can come along, take pictures or grab autographs from these sporting legends at the BCP Leisure Centres.
This event is delivered by BCP Council in partnership with Morebus.
BCP Council leader, Cllr Millie Earl, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate our amazing local athletes and their achievements in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These athletes have made us all immensely proud, and they continue to inspire young people to get involved in sports and believe in their potential. It’s an honour to recognise their dedication and the coaches and teams who supported them along the way.”
Andrew Wickham, Morebus managing director, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes – and their achievements in Paris 2024 – so we are delighted to be providing a specially-designed open top bus for this exciting event. It promises to bring our entire community together in celebration.
“Our lead designer for this unique bus, Emma Watts, has a particular reason to be inspired. Her 11-year-old daughter, Pippa, was born with a defect in the bones of her right leg. In 2021, she underwent an amputation below her knee. Despite this, Pippa is thriving. As a keen swimmer for Blandford Flyers, she has already competed in several able-bodied and para galas. And, having experienced the magic of the swimming competition in Paris as a spectator, she is aiming to compete in the LA 2028 Paralympics.
“Pippa – along with all our local athletes – are an inspiration to us all, and the Morebus team is very much looking forward to celebrating with them on 28 October.”
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