Triumphant Yorkshire ‘Rio Heroes’ Given Homecoming Reception To Remember In Leeds

Thursday, 29 September 2016 09:06

Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Leeds last night to welcome home in style their amazing Yorkshire Olympic and Paralympic Rio Heroes.

Set in a sea of colour, music and entertainment, Yorkshire’s athletes received a reception never to be forgotten as they toured the city centre on open top buses with coaches, supporters and family members. Accompanying the buses included a DJ and dancers from the West Indian Carnival, the Band of the King’s Division, West Yorkshire Police Band and the Handmade Samba Band, which helped ensure that the parade had a real Rio flavour.

Present at the parade included:

Triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee who earned gold and silver medals respectively.
World, European and Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft MBE who won three golds in Rio.
Diver and gold medallist, Jack Laugher.
Paralympic Cycling Pilot double gold medallist, Adam Duggleby.
Paralympic swimmer, Jonathan Booth.
Bronze medal gymnast, Nile Wilson.
Rowing silver medallist, Zoe Lee.
Vicky Holland who won bronze in the triathlon.
Rowers Andy Triggs Hodge, Tom Ransley and Paul Bennett who all claimed gold.
Double Paralympic gold medallist, Kadeena Cox
Paralympic gold and silver medal cyclist David Stone MBE

Organised in partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire, the main event sponsor of the parade was Clipper Logistics with partner support from Slingsby Gin, Radio Aire, Yorkshire Water, Yorkshire Tea and Vale of Mowbray.

Afterwards, all of the athletes received an invite to a special civic reception held at Leeds Civic Hall.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake, said:

“We have been extremely fortunate to host some truly memorable occasions in Leeds, but to see so many people of all ages line the streets of the city centre to welcome home our Yorkshire Olympic and Paralympic Heroes tonight took the breath away!"

“It really was fantastic to see the county’s athletes get the recognition they so fully deserve for their phenomenal success in Rio. I would like to thank all of them for finding the time in their extremely demanding and hectic schedules to attend the parade and of course the Yorkshire public, who once again proved why their support is amongst the very best in the world.”

Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire Sir Gary Verity, said:

"Wow what a welcome for our Yorkshire Rio Heroes. Tens of thousands of people lined the route around the city centre to cheer on our athletes and it really has been an event to go down in history. Yorkshire you really know how to party.”

Double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, said:

"We can’t believe how many people are here! It's great being in our home city and we're very proud to be from Leeds and Yorkshire. What a welcome home!"

Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Gerry Harper, said:

“To be given the chance as a city to host the Yorkshire Rio Heroes parade was an extremely proud moment for us, and it was amazing to see so many people from the county and beyond cheering the outstanding achievements of all our local Olympic and Paralympic athletes.”

More from Local and National News

City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award

one of the nation’s last surviving HMT Empire Windrush passengers and the city’s only remaining Caribbean Second World War serviceman received the Leeds Award in a ceremony at the Civic Hall.
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime

A specialist team working to reduce violent crime has started a New Year by passing a new milestone after making more than 10,000 arrests.
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale

A unique gift exchanged by two former Lord Mayors of Leeds more than 120 years ago could be about to help the city with unprecedented budget challenges.
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council

Fourteen Calderdale Council employees have been recognised for a combined total of over 350 years of service at an event at Halifax Town Hall on Thursday 26 October.
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced

A group of activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage to a service station on the M25 has been sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (27 October)
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Leeds in which a man later died.
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council

A vehicle involved in multiple incidences of fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire has been seized by Bradford Council.
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee is to embark on a review of vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles, following updates to national guidance.
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford

Police have named the man who died after a road traffic collision on Leeds Road in Bradford last week.
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford

Visitors to the stunning Van Gogh Alive UK exhibition in Bradford donated more than £4,000 to Mind in Bradford.
Bradford Clean Air Zone and the results of traffic flow monitoring

The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since September 2022 and is operating to improve air quality in the district by deterring the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone.

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

Legal Show

Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.
The Golden Era

The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm
Remix Saturdays

Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm
Alim OnAir

Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.