Sport: Team GB and ParalympicsGB

In a statement delivered in the House of Commons, the Sports Minister expressed the government's immense pride in the performance of Team GB and ParalympicsGB at the 2024 Paris Games. The minister highlighted that Team GB brought home 65 medals, the third-highest haul in history, surpassing the number won in Tokyo and matching the record set in London 2012. ParalympicsGB, on the other hand, finished second in the medal table, winning medals across 18 of the 19 sports they competed in, the highest achievement by any nation. The minister praised the breadth and depth of Team GB's success, citing specific moments of triumph, such as Tom Pidcock's recovery from a puncture to win gold in mountain biking, Alex Yee's sprint finish to claim gold in the men's triathlon, and Keely Hodgkinson's gold medal in the 800-meter track event. The minister also highlighted the success of Barnsley's own Becky Moody, who brought home a bronze medal as part of the Team GB dressage team. The minister recounted the privilege of visiting Paris for the Olympics and Paralympics, where they had the opportunity to cheer on Team GB road cyclists and swimmers at the Olympics, as well as witness Maisie Summers-Newton's gold medal in the 200-meter medley and the thrilling wheelchair tennis matches featuring Andy Lapthorne and Greg Slade at the Paralympics. The minister acknowledged the thousands of hours of training, recovery, competition, and qualifying that preceded the Paris Games and emphasized the importance of the government's continued support for the nation's elite athletes. The minister highlighted the crucial role of funding directed through UK Sport and the efforts of the British Olympic Association and ParalympicsGB in ensuring that the athletes are well-supported in their pursuit of excellence. The minister concluded by noting that British and Northern Irish athletes have competed at every Olympic Games since the modern games began in 1896, a testament to the country's enduring commitment to sports and the success of its athletes on the global stage.