This is who 9 Olympic and Paralympic legends back for medals in Paris
As we look forward to the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Paris 2024 this summer, 10 legends of elite British sport reveal to GH who they expect to see on the podium this year…
Rebecca Adlington backs Adam Peaty and Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Rebecca is a world record-breaking swimmer and winner of four Olympic medals. This summer, Rebecca will be watching Adam Peaty attempt to secure another medal in Paris, but she also names British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson as one to watch.
Dame Laura Lenny backs Emma Finucane
Dame Laura is the first British woman to have won five Olympic gold medals for Team GB, having exploded on to the Olympic scene with two golds at London 2012. Having decided to retire from competitive cycling this spring to spend more time with her children Albie and Monty, Laura won’t be competing at Paris 2024 herself, but tips fellow track cyclist Emma Finucane for a medal at her first Olympics.
‘Since she won her first World title at the end of 2023, Emma has sky-rocketed. She’s in the women’s sprint team, which is just getting better and better ahead of Paris. It’s so exciting to see!’ says Laura.
Kadeena Cox backs ParalympicGB’s Cycling team
Kadeena has won six Paralympic medals across the sports of athletics and track cycling, and is in the GB track cycling squad for Paris 2024. She set up the Kadeena Cox Academy after realising she was the only Black British cyclist ever to win an Olympic or Paralympic Gold medal, offering funding and mentoring to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Kadeena is striving for further medals herself and is also backing her fellow athletes in the ParalympicGB’s Cycling team.
Dame Kelly Holmes backs Keely Hodgkinson
Dame Kelly won gold in both the 800m and 1500m at Athens 2004, making her one of the most successful British female athletes in history. Since retiring, Kelly has become a motivational speaker and, in 2008, founded the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, which, she says, ‘supports retired athletes as they transition from sport, and uses their skills and experience to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people through mentoring programmes’.
Casting her mind to Paris, Kelly thinks there’s great potential for Team GB middle-distance medals: ‘Keely Hodgkinson – an amazing talent – is a gold prospect in the 800m. She won silver in Tokyo and I hope she can now go one better.’
Emma Wiggs backs ParalympicGB’s paracanoe squad
Emma competed in sitting volleyball at the London 2012 Paralympics, before becoming a paracanoeist and making history at Tokyo 2020 as the first woman to win gold and silver in the sport. At Rio 2016, Emma was part of the British squad that won five medals in little more than an hour of racing.
Emma says she can’t wait to see the current paracanoe squad take to the water at Paris 2024, saying, ‘The world had better look out because our athletes are coming fast!’
Beth Tweddle backs Emily Campbell
Olympic medallist Beth is Britain’s most decorated female gymnast, has founded a gymnastics academy and become a sports pundit and commentator since retiring in 2013. Looking to Paris, Beth says, “The depth of British sport is huge and Team GB has so many chances to achieve medals this summer. I’m looking forward to watching weightlifter Emily Campbell; her silver in Tokyo was fantastic and it would be great to see her win another medal in Paris.”
Nicola Adams backs Chantelle Reid
Nicola was the first woman to win an Olympic gold boxing medal at London 2012. She went on to defend her flyweight title in Rio in 2016 before turning professional in 2017.
This year, Nicola has high hopes for middleweight Chantelle Reid, who qualified for this year’s Games after a six-year break from the sport. “I commentated on her qualifying tournament in Italy and she boxed exceptionally well,” says Nicola. “I’m very excited to see what she brings to Paris this summer.”
Dame Sarah Storey backs Hannah Cockcroft, Will Bayley and David Smith
Dame Sarah is the most successful British Paralympian of all time, winning 28 medals in cycling and swimming. Now she’s getting ready for Paris 2024 and is looking at a variety of individuals who could bring home medals this year.
“I’m excited to watch some of our most experienced campaigners stepping back in to the spotlight. Hannah Cockcroft in Athletics, Will Bayley in Table-Tennis, and David Smith in Boccia to name a few, but I’m also excited about first-time Paralympians being in action,” she says.
Dame Katherine Grainger backs all our Olympians and Paralympians
Dame Katherine has won five rowing medals at five successive Games. Having retired in 2016, she now serves as the chair of UK Sport. In her role as chair, Katherine is excited about every aspect of Paris 2024 and couldn’t choose just one name.
She told us, “From the moment the opening ceremony begins, and Paris shines with the glow of the Olympic flame, to the Paralympics closing ceremony, we’ll see an array of incredible sport and inspiring athletes.”
Join Olympic legends in Paris this summer at Team GB House
Follow the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Paralympic team @ParalympicsGB on social media and on the Paralympic team website.
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