Hertfordshire strikes gold at Olympics – and rises up the medals table!

There were golds galore for Hertfordshire athletes at the Rio Olympics this weekend, with history being made by two of the county’s most celebrated sporting heroes.

The incredible success of gymnast Max Whitlock, from Hemel Hempstead, and cyclist Laura Trott, from Cheshunt, means Hertfordshire-based athletes have now amassed four gold medals – which would place the county 13th in the medal table above the likes of Spain, Canada and host nation Brazil.

Max won Britain’s first ever gymnastics Olympic gold medal when he triumphed in the Floor Exercise. He then doubled his tally a short while later in the Pommel Horse event. This was on top of his earlier bronze medal in the All-around Gymnastics competition.

Laura, meanwhile, became the first British woman to win three gold medals when she was victorious with a world record-breaking time in the Women’s Team Pursuit, adding to her two golds from London 2012. She has a chance for a further gold in the Omnium event today (Monday 15 August) and tomorrow (Tuesday 16 August).

Cyclist Laura Trott, winner of 3 gold Olympic medals

These successes can be added to those of Joe Clarke, who trains at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross and won gold in Kayak K1 Class; and Steven Scott, who trains at Nuthampstead Shooting Club and won bronze in the Men's Double Trap Shooting.

Teresa Heritage, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Localism and Libraries at Hertfordshire County Council and Chair of the Hertfordshire Lifestyle and Legacy Partnership (HLLP), said: “It just gets better and better for Hertfordshire’s athletes – the latest achievements of Max and Laura are quite incredible, and have placed them among the most celebrated Olympians of all time. We’re very proud to see Hertfordshire’s athletes making such a huge contribution to Britain’s success on the biggest sporting stage of all.”

Following the London Olympics in 2012, Hertfordshire County Council established the HLLP, which aims to bring partners together from across the county to promote healthy and active lifestyles by attracting funding and encouraging volunteering in sport, physical activity, recreation and culture.

Since its establishment HLLP has contributed to a number of successes including:
• Sport England awarding £500,000 for the “Healthy and Active in Herts” programme
• A thriving Youth Activity Music and Arts Festival (YAMA)
• Hertfordshire hosting a stage of the Friends Life Women’s Cycling Tour
• Continued support for the Herts Learning Disability Games
• Increased participation in cycling and walking. For example, nearly 50,000 people took part in the health walks organised by our Countryside Management Service in 2015/16.
For further information, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/hllp

Could you help inspire the next generation of Olympians by volunteering at your local sports club? Visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/yolunteering for information.

(Source: Hertfordshire County Council)