The Olympians and Paralympians who trained in Bath will be given a hero’s welcome next week with a parade through the city organised by the University of Bath and the Council.
Olympic and Paralympic athletes from across the area have also been invited to make a triumphant return with an open-top bus tour to celebrate a spectacular summer of sport at London 2012.
The procession will set off from the University of Bath (the training base of Team Bath) at 11am on Wednesday 12th September and make its way through the city centre before arriving at the Assembly Rooms around 12noon. The athletes will be welcomed into the Assembly Rooms for a Civic reception held by Councillor Rob Appleyard, the Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Councillor David Dixon (Lib-Dem, Oldfield), Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to support our magnificent Olympians and Paralympians with this well-deserved hero’s welcome. Their incredible displays of skill and stamina have captivated us over the summer.
“Their years of dedication and devotion to being the best they can be have offered inspiration to everyone – encouraging more people to get involved in sport; whether participating themselves or training and helping others to take part. We would like to thank all our Olympians and Paralympians for this and we hope our residents and visitors will also show their support by lining the route of our celebratory procession.”
For those wishing to see the open-top bus coming through the city centre between 11am and 12noon (approx.) on 12th September, the Council recommends the following vantage points:
- At the foot of Bathwick Hill
- Great Pulteney Street (accessible viewing area located on Great Pulteney Street at the William Street junction)
- Grand Parade and Orange Grove
- High Street
- Milsom Street
- George Street
- Lansdown Road
- Arriving at the Bath Assembly Rooms in Bennett Street (accessible viewing area provided)
Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath, said: “British athletes have inspired our nation this summer and it is fitting that the residents of Bath have the opportunity to show their appreciation to those athletes who base themselves at the University of Bath.”
