Local athletes who participated in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be honoured today.
They will travel on an open-top bus across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, stopping at various 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.
The five athletes taking part are gold medalists Bryony Page (gymnastics trampoline) and Leo McCrea (paralympic swimming); silver medalist Jack Eyers (paralympic swimming); bronze medalist Matt Aldridge (rowing) and Izzy Songhurst (gymnastics trampoline).
The celebration kicks off at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre at 10.15am (pictured), where they will meet supporters before boarding the bus.
They’ll visit Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre at approximately 12.05pm before 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.
The event is being delivered by BCP Council in partnership with Morebus.
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.”