Following Team GB’s medal winning success in Athens, and the anticipated success for the British Paralympic Team at the 2004 Paralympic Games, a medal winners parade will take place in the streets of London on Monday 18th October 2004.
The parade will take place in central London from about 1.30pm on Monday 18th October culminating with a celebration in Trafalgar Square. Full details of the route and format of the parade will be announced shortly.
British medal winners will participate in the parade and Trafalgar Square celebration, including double Gold medal winner Kelly Holmes, and four times Gold medal winner Matthew Pinsent. Large screens in Trafalgar Square will show the parade in action, as well as highlights from the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Simon Clegg, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association said: ‘We have been overwhelmed with requests for a Team GB parade in London and are delighted that with the support of the Mayor of London we can combine this parade with our colleagues from the British Paralympic Association.’
Phil Lane, Chief Executive for the British Paralympic Association said: ‘It is great news that there will be a joint parade celebrating the success of both our Olympians and Paralympians. Although our athletes don’t begin competing at the 2004 Paralympic Games until 17th September, we are confident that this is one of the best-prepared Paralympic teams ever to represent Great Britain and we’re sure they will continue the wave of success and pride generated by Team GB in Athens last month.’
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said: ‘On behalf of London I pay tribute to our extraordinary sporting heroes who did us proud at the Athens Olympic Games. The UK’s performance was an inspiration to all those watching at home and those many thousands who gave such strong support from the stands. The UK has shown its passion for sport. Let’s look to a London Games in 2012.’
For further information on the parade please contact:
BOA press office – Philip Pope on 020 8871 2677 ext 233
BPA press office – Matchtight Ltd 01225 383 518
Greater London Authority press office – Ben McKnight: 020 7983 4071 Matthew Neylan: 020 7983 4020