Route revealed for Yorkshire ‘Rio Heroes’ homecoming parade

The route of the hotly-anticipated Rio Heroes homecoming parade in Leeds celebrating the achievements of Yorkshire Olympic and Paralympic athletes has been unveiled.

Held on Wednesday 28 September from approximately 5.45pm-6.45pm, the people of Yorkshire will have the chance to welcome back their Rio Heroes in style and line the streets as they tour the city centre on open top buses. Accompanying the parade and adding a real carnival atmosphere to the evening will be a sea of colour and musical entertainment.

Already confirmed for the parade - organised in partnership with Welcome to Yorkshire - are a host of athletes. Those already set to attend include:

• Rowers Andy Triggs Hodge and Paul Bennett who both claimed gold.
• World, European and Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft MBE who has now won two golds in Rio.
• Diver and gold medallist, Jack Laugher.
• Triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee who earned gold and silver medals respectively.
• Vicky Holland who won bronze in the triathlon.
• Bronze medal gymnast, Nile Wilson.
• Rowing silver medallist, Zoe Lee.
• Paralympic swimmer, Jonathan Booth.
• Paralympic Cycling Pilot double gold medallist, Adam Duggleby.

Beginning on The Headrow outside Leeds Art Gallery, the route of the parade will take a right turn onto Park Row before heading down to City Square where it will then take a left turn on to Boar Lane. The buses will then take a left onto Briggate, before making one final left onto The Headrow and returning outside Leeds Art Gallery. With viewing spots available right along the route, those in attendance will have the chance to cheer and see up close their Yorkshire Rio Heroes in different areas and locations of the city centre.

As the parade travels the route, all roads above will be closed temporarily to all traffic on a rolling closure basis under police escort for up to one hour. To help safely facilitate the parade, some longer-term road closures and other traffic management are also required at key points along the parade route:

• The Headrow, Calverley St to Cookridge Street.
• Cookridge St, Headrow to Gt George St.

Media notice:

Details on how members of the media can apply for accreditation to cover the homecoming parade are in the Notes to editors section of this press release.

After the parade, all of the athletes will then be welcomed to the Civic Hall as part of a special civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Gerry Harper.

After a tremendous Olympics in Rio which saw Yorkshire athletes contribute 14 medals (5 Gold- 5 Silver - 4 Bronze) out of an overall medal total of 67 for Team GB, all eyes are on now on the region’s athletes starring in the Paralympics which has just started in Brazil.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake, said:

“The Rio Heroes homecoming which we have planned for our Yorkshire Olympic and Paralympic athletes on the 28 September promises to be something very special and we delighted to be able to announce the route which the open buses will take around Leeds City Centre as part of the parade.

“The support from the people of Yorkshire has once again been simply incredible, and all of our athletes can be guaranteed of a truly memorable homecoming reception.”

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

“Ever since the Rio Heroes parade was announced we’ve been working tirelessly with our friends at Leeds City Council to deliver an event to remember. Our Yorkshire athletes have entertained us, inspired us and made us proud and we can’t wait to welcome them home in style. It never ceases to amaze me how well the people of Yorkshire turn out to celebrate our county’s successes and we know you’ll do us proud again here. The Rio Heroes parade is one not to be missed!

Bronze medal gymnast, Nile Wilson from Leeds said:

“I’m delighted to be a part of the homecoming parade and can’t wait to join my fellow athletes and the county in celebrating Yorkshire’s great success. We’re an incredibly proud sporting county and I want to thank everyone for their huge support both while I was out in Rio but also back home. Bring on the Rio celebration!”

Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Gerry Harper, said:

“We are extremely excited as a city to have the opportunity to host a Yorkshire homecoming event for our Olympic and Paralympic athletes in Leeds.

“Team GB have performed brilliantly in Rio and made us all very proud. Having the chance therefore to welcome back Yorkshire’s athletes is a massive honour and one we are massively looking forward to.”

Notes to editors:

This event, which has been organised with support from other local authorities across the region, does not replace homecoming celebrations that some councils are hosting for individual athletes.

MEDIA ACCREDITATION:

Any members of the media wishing to attend the parade are asked to submit their individual requests to: parade@yorkshire.com

Please note, due to numbers and logistics, all requests may not be approved or subject to alteration.

For media enquiries, please contact;Colin Dickinson, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk

Marie Christopher, Senior Press Officer, Welcome to Yorkshire

Email: mchristopher@yorkshire.com

Direct: 0113 322 3537 Mobile: 07557 157 034

Nick Howes, Sports Media Manager, Welcome to Yorkshire

Email: nhowes@yorkshire.com

Direct: 01133223505 Mobile: 07590964828