City celebrates Olympic hopefuls

OLYMPIC hopefuls including heptathlete Jessica Ennis will be waved off to the Games by crowds in Sheffield this afternoon.

The event, organised by Sheffield Council, will be held in the Peace Gardens from 1pm. Ennis will join other sportsmen including swimmer Ellie Faulkner and volleyball player Rachel Layborn on stage.

Council leader Julie Dore said: “Sheffield wants to give our Olympic and Paralympic athletes a great send-off and wish them well in their endeavours at the Games which will shortly be upon us.

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“It is such a momentous achievement to take part in the greatest sporting events on earth and each and every one of them is an excellent ambassador for their city.

“We are all so proud of them.”

There will be opportunities to take photos of the athletes on stage and listen to their stories.

Steve Brailey, chief executive of Sheffield International Venues, added: “We are extremely proud of the many local athletes who have qualified for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“It takes an immense amount of hard work and dedication to reach such a high standard, so to see so many Sheffield-based talents heading to London is fantastic.”