The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic parade comes to London today – Here’s what you need to know
The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games came and went in a flash. Celebrations took place all over the country as Team GB won 67 medals in while Paralympic GB claimed a total of 147.
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Today supporters have been invited to attend a victory parade where athletes will experience “a celebration fit for heroes” in honour of their sporting achievements. The spectacle will be followed by a London show tonight, featuring stars such as Olly Murs and Rebecca Ferguson.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We are going to put on a fabulous celebration in Trafalgar Square of the achievements of our athletes in Rio, which kept millions up half the night cheering them on, including me.
“They have inspired millions of people, I’m incredibly proud of their exploits and they deserve nothing less than a real heroes’ return in the heart of the capital.”
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If you’d like to watch the parade and cheer on your favourite athletes, here’ s everything you need to know about joining the celebrations.
Where
The celebrations will take place in Trafalgar square, with free access to the public. There will be plenty of entertainment and music as both Olympic and Paralympic teams take to the stage, while a big screen shows footage of their achievements in Rio.
When
Today. Trafalgar Square will be open to the public at 11am, and the show kicks off at 1pm. The event is set to last for about 90 minutes, but be sure to arrive well ahead of time to secure a good spot.
Who
The majority of Team GB athletes will be present at the parade, with the exception of Sir Bradley Wiggins and golden couple Jason Kenny and Laura Trott. This is set to be Jessica Ennis-Hill’s last parade as she retired from athletics just last week.
What if I can’t make it?
If you're stuck at work or just can’t make it, the festivities will be broadcast live on BBC One and Channel 4. Alternatively you can watch it on City A.M.’s Facebook page as we will be live when the event kicks off.