THE PARIS Olympic Games were a massive success for athletes hailing from Worcestershire.
Several athletes from the region competed on the world stage in Paris, with some even earning themselves a spot on the podium in their respective sports.
The county’s first Olympic medal came from Matt Richards, a former member of the Droitwich Dolphins swimming club who won Silver in the men’s 200m freestyle.
Matt Richards also brought home gold in the men’s 200m freestyle relay alongside teammates James Guy, Tom Dean and Duncan Scott.
The swimming club was named West Midlands Club of the Year by Swim England in 2022 and has produced other Olympic Athletes such as Paralympian Rebecca Redfern, who brought home silvers from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and gold in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
University of Worcester alumni Matthew Hudson-Smith won the Olympic silver medal in the men’s 200m, recording the fifth-fastest time on record.
Hudson-Smith trains at Birchfield Harriers which is only an hour’s drive away from Worcester on the M5, making it a great facility for up-and-coming athletes as well renowned for producing Olympic champions such as Dame Denise Lewis.
Women’s mountain biker, Evie Richards hails from Malvern and finished in an impressive fifth in her event.
And, last but not least, Evesham’s Rose Harvey took part in the marathon for the final event of the games.
