Out of England’s nine regions, the North West has claimed the most medals and medalists so far in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
It may have been postponed for a year due to the pandemic, but after nearly two weeks of inspiring and record-breaking sporting action, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is proving to be a pretty successful Games for Great Britain.
Team GB are currently sitting in 5th place on the international medals table.
As of the end of day 11 of competition on 3 August – already having been dubbed as ‘Super Tuesday’ – 55 English Olympians have come out of at least one event with a place on the podium, and that figure has already climbed as day 12 kicks off.
But the region that has the most to shout about so far is the North West, with 13 out of the 48 Tokyo 2020 athletes born there claiming medals, and when we drill it down even further into counties and city regions, Greater Manchester is the most common place where this year’s medallists were born.
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How brilliant is this?
13 out of the 48 Tokyo 2020 athletes born in the North West have claimed medals so far / Credit: Twitter (@TeamGB) Bolton’s Jason Kenny’s silver medal win yesterday made him Britain’s joint most-decorated Olympian / Credit: Twitter (@TeamGB)
These include Bury swimmer and double gold medallist James Guy, triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown, BMX cyclist Charlotte Worthington, sailor Stuart Bithell, rower Josh Bugajski, cyclist Jason Kenny, and the most recent medallist – Keely Hodgkinson.
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That’s not the only achievement for the North West at Tokyo 2020 so far either, as in the overall awards too, the region is storming ahead with 17, aided in part by the heroics of multi-medallists Guy, Taylor-Brown, and Cheshire swimmer Luke Greenbank.
Other successful northern counties and regions with multiple medalists so far include Yorkshire and The Humber – West Yorkshire, in particular – and Cheshire.
What an achievement – and with four days of action left, it’s only set to better.
Manchester United legend Denis Law has died aged 84
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United legend Denis Law has sadly died aged 84, it has been announced.
The Aberdeen-born footballer was a prolific striker throughout his career, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United – the club he signed for a then-British record transfer fee back 1962, before departing in 1973 – and also playing for Manchester City too for two separate spells during the 1960-61 and 1973-74 seasons.
Law was an integral part of United’s triumphant record-setting 1968 European Cup winning campaign, was the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, and also the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford.
But, he previously announced in August 2021 that he had sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/YuwjMXKgxn
A formal statement confirming Law’s passing by his family was announced by Manchester United this evening: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“The ultimate goal-scorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”
Advice issued as ‘quademic’ of winter bugs continues to take hold in Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to get any vaccinations they are due done, as a ‘quademic’ of winter bugs runs rife.
Cases of flu, Covid, norovirus and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are continuing to take hold across the country, and here in Greater Manchester.
The city is seeing more flu cases and hospital admissions than usual for this time of year.
So now health chiefs are urgently reminding eligible people to get their flu jabs and other vaccinations, to protect themselves and others.
Mancs are also being reminded to follow key public health advice, such as frequent hand washing and staying at home when you’re ill.
The flu vaccination drive runs until the end of March and people who are eligible for it can get it from their GP, pharmacy or one of the city’s walk-in clinics, where no appointment is needed.
Dr Cordelle Ofori, Manchester’s Director of Public Health, said: “Our advice is very similar to recommendations made during the Covid pandemic.
“It’s really important to keep washing hands well and regularly; cough or sneeze into tissues or your arm; wipe down key communal surfaces like handles on doors; and where possible, stay at home if you are ill to avoid passing on any infections.
“And, in addition to this we would urge anyone who is also feeling financial or food pressures to ring our free cost of living advice line on 0800 023 2692 or text on 07860 022876.”
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Social Care, at Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester people are well-known for how they look after one another – and passing the flu message on could save lives, as well as unnecessary illness at a time when people face many pressures.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to have their vaccination, so please do go to our walk-in clinics if you are 18 and over and eligible for the vaccine. No appointment is needed: it’s quick, easy and done by teams who want to help you.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th August 2021 
