Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association will host a ‘ heroes parade’ for Britain’s Olympic medal winners, City Hall announced today.
The parade, scheduled for Thursday 16th October 2008, will allow Londoners to celebrate the nation’s success which has seen athletes win 12 golds, the largest number of Olympic gold medals since 1920. As of Monday the UK’s athletes had also won 7 silver and 8 bronze medals.
Announcing the parade Mayor Johnson said: “Just over half way through the Beijing Games and Team GB has put in one of its best ever performances. In September our Paralympians will I hope return from Beijing having achieved similar success.”
The Mayor added: “to reflect the excitement and pride of the country in our athletes’ superb victories we’ve set a date in the diary now when we can cheer all our heroes and honour their extraordinary feats at this summer’s Games.”
Simon Clegg, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association said his body were “delighted” by news of the parade, which he described as “a fitting tribute to the outstanding achievements of the whole team, who have collectively so far delivered Team GB’s most successful Olympic Games since Antwerp 1920.”
Phil Lane, ParalympicsGB Chief Executive said: “We’re delighted to hear that Britain’s Paralympians will be recognised for their achievements in Beijing by being part of this parade alongside Britain’s Olympic athletes.”
