'˜Well done to Hertfordshire's Olympic athletes', says county council

Joe Clarke, who trains at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross, won gold in the kayak K1 class; Max Whitlock from Hemel Hempstead became Britain’s first Olympic medal winner in the men’s all-around gymnastics competition for 108 years after scooping bronze; and Steven Scott, who trains at Nuthampstead Shooting Club, won bronze in the men’s double trap shooting.

Teresa Heritage, who is cabinet member for public health, localism and libraries at Herts County Council plus chair of the Herts Lifestyle and Legacy Partnership (HLLP), congratulated the athletes.

She said: “Well done to Joe, Max and Steve on their wonderful achievements, which are testament to their hard work and dedication.

“We’re very proud to see Hertfordshire’s athletes making such a huge contribution to Britain’s success on the biggest sporting stage of all.”

Following the London Olympics in 2012, Hertfordshire County Council established the HLLP, which aims to bring partners together from across the county to promote healthy and active lifestyles by attracting funding and encouraging volunteering in sport, physical activity, recreation and culture.

Since its establishment HLLP has contributed to a number of successes including:

• Sport England awarding £500,000 for the “Healthy and Active in Herts” programme

• A thriving Youth Activity Music and Arts Festival (YAMA)

• Hertfordshire hosting a stage of the Friends Life Women’s Cycling Tour

• Continued support for the Herts Learning Disability Games

• Increased participation in cycling and walking in the county.

For further information, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/hllp