Olympic heroes on Corrie’s cobbles
RIO STARS VISIT SET FOR SPECIAL SPORTS DAY
THE set of Coronation Street was transformed into a sporting arena as part of the country’s biggest ever sports day in tribute to Team GB’s Olympic heroes.
One of the stars on show was Elinor Barker from Didbsury, who helped pedal Britain to victory in the women’s Team Pursuit in Rio.
The 21-year-old has been blown away by the response from the public following her return from the games, which was Britain’s most successful in 108 years. And now she hopes their success will prove a catalyst in getting more people to take part in sport.
She said: “It’s been really special. The public have really engaged with it and probably watched new sports or been inspired by something they’ve seen.
“I had a friend who used to be a gymnast who said she was going to take it back up after watching Max Whitlock.
“Hopefully, there’s many more people like that and these Games can have a real legacy.”
Hundreds of sports clubs held events on Saturday as part of the ‘I Am Team GB’ day organised by the National Lottery in conjunction with ITV, the British Olympic Association, UK Sport and which is supported by Join In.
Andy Duncan, chief executive of National Lottery operator Camelot said: “Ultimately, everyone who buys a National Lottery ticket is hoping to win a prize. But the other part is how money goes to good causes – a chunk of it to sport. So as for all the medals being won in Rio...if you’ve bought a ticket, you’ve made that happen.”
As part of the initiative, transmission on all seven of ITV’s channels were cut for an hour from 9.30 on Saturday morning as part of a drive to get more people active.
Table tennis, rock climbing and badminton were among the activities on offer at the unique event on the Corrie set. It also doubled as a homecoming for some of our lottery-funded Olympians, including Taekwondo bronze medallist Bianca Walkden and Badminton bronze medalist Marcus Ellis, who took part along with several members of the soap’s cast.
Elinor said: “It’s been pretty surreal. Obviously it’s such a popular show and the set is really iconic. My old housemate is a Corrie mega fan so I’ve watched loads of it over the years. “She’s going to be so jealous. “I was really impressed and took a few selfies in front of the Rovers and a few other places.
“It was just great to meet everyone and see them enjoying getting active.”
Elinor and her team-mates will next get to mingle with fans at the Team GB homecoming parade which will be held in Manchester after the Paralympics in October.
Elinor, originally from Cardiff, said: “I think it’s a great decision to have it up north and on the evidence of today I’m expecting a fantastic turnout and a really special occasion.”