Olympics and Paralympics 2024 stars from Leeds honoured in special celebration at Civic Hall
Leeds’ sporting superstars were honoured at a special celebration in Civic Hall where athletes reflected on the influence the city has had on their careers.
Olympians and Paralympians from across West Yorkshire were officially welcomed back home after an incredible summer in Paris. It saw competitors from the region pick up an impressive 13 medals at this year’s games.
At a glitzy ceremony last night (October 9), athletes including wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft OBE, diver Jack Laugher MBE and gymnast Luke Whitehouse were recognised for their remarkable achievements.
Speaking to the YEP, Hannah Cockroft OBE, who won two gold medals in the T34 100m and 800m, said: “I think this summer is going to be hard to beat.
“I’ve been working since 2012, so it was a dream come true to be back in the stadium with 80,000 people supporting us.”
She added: “I train in Leeds and I’m part of Leeds City AC, so to get the recognition here alongside our Olympic peers is fantastic.
“Being in this room shows how much power Leeds has. Not just in terms of athletes, but also in the facilities and the coaches we offer. Leeds has it all - and I love to show that off.”
Meanwhile, Olympic diver Jack Laugher MBE, who won bronze in the synchronised event, said: “It’s wonderful to be here. I consider Leeds my home, I’ve lived here for more than 10 years and I’ve made my life here.
“It’s wonderful to be invited to the Civic Hall, and to be honoured here is a nice cherry on top of the great summer we’ve all had.”
Also appearing at last night’s event was gymnast Luke Whitehouse who competed in his first Olympic Games as a senior, which had been his goal ever since he picked up the sport at age of four, and has always trained in Leeds.
He said: “It’s really special to be here. I’m at university at Leeds Beckett too, so it’s really nice to get this welcome back. Leeds has always been behind us, so I want to thank everyone for all their support.”
During the special ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun Abigail Marshall-Katung led guests in congratulating athletes from the region. An athlete herself, she told the YEP: “We are so, so proud. We couldn’t be happier as a city to welcome them today.
“I know how much hard work you have to put in to get to where they are. To see them represent West Yorkshire at that level, we are super, super proud of them.
“This is an opportunity to have all of these athletes under one roof and say that we truly appreciate their efforts and achievements.”
Guests at the reception in the banqueting suite at Leeds Civic Hall also included athletes Guillaume Junior Atangana and Donard Ndim Nyamjua, gymnast Harry Hepworth and divers Lois Toulson, Anthony Harding and Yona Knight-Wisdom.
They gave a 100-strong invited audience intriguing insights into their games experiences during a series of interviews with sports commentator and former international gymnast Lisa Gannon.
Other speakers included HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Ed Anderson, Coun Salma Arif, the interim chief executive of Leeds City Council Mariana Pexton, and West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Alison Lowe.
There was praise for the city’s range of sporting facilities including Beeston’s John Charles Centre for Sport, the Leeds Gymnastics Club set-up in Seacroft and the Bodington Playing Fields-based Brownlee Centre – the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training site.