Sport

Every Team GB medalist from Greater Manchester at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The region's success at the Games is undeniable, with eight separate Team GB athletes taking medals home.

The Manc The Manc - 9th August 2021

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics have finally come to a close this past weekend.

It may have been postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but after over two weeks of thrilling, inspiring, and in some cases record-breaking sporting action, the iconic event proved to be pretty successful Games for Great Britain, with Team GB finishing in fourth place on the international medals table.

A whopping 65 medals in total were claimed by Team GB athletes, with 22 of those being gold medals.

If a top five place in the medal rankings wasn’t an impressive enough achievement as it is, what sets Team GB apart from every other nation is the number of sport-discipline combinations the country medals in, as medals were won by Team GB athletes in 25 different sports, which breaks the record of 23 set at Rio 2016.

The North West also came out on top as having the most medals and medallists, with 21 medallists hailing from the region.

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But how many of those medallists are from right here in Greater Manchester?

Let’s take a look.

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Gold

Jason Kenny

Cycling | Bolton

Track cyclist Jason Kenny becomes most successful Team GB Olympian of all time / Credit: Twitter (@TeamGB)

The undeniable stand-out star of Tokyo 2020 is none other than track cyclist Jason Kenny from Farnworth in Bolton, who has become both the most successful and the most decorated Team GB Olympian of all time after winning a stunning seventh gold medal of his career in the men’s keirin final on Sunday 8 August.

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Kenny, 33, has now secured podium finishes at four separate Olympic Games events since 2008 – winning seven golds and two silvers in team sprints, sprints and keirin events.

He also bagged himself a silver medal in the men’s team sprint at the Games.

James Guy

Swimming | Bury

Bury-born swimmer James Guy was another Team GB multi-medallist at Tokyo 2020, claiming gold in the men’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay victory alongside Tom Dean, Duncan Scott and Matthew Richards, and another gold in the mixed 4 × 100m medley relay alongside Kathleen Dawson, Adam Peaty, and Anna Hopkin – which also set the world record time of 3 minutes 37.58 seconds.

He added the two golds to a personal trophy cabinet that already contained two silver medals from Rio 2016.

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Georgia Taylor-Brown

Triathlon | Tameside

Yet another multi-medallist is Manchester-born triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown, who first claimed a silver in the women’s triathlon under difficult conditions and despite suffering a flat tyre on the last cycle lap.

She then went on to become an Olympic champion, bagging a gold medal in triathlon mixed relay alongside Jessica Learmonth, Jonny Brownlee and Alex Yee.

James Guy and Charlotte Worthington / Credit: Twitter (@TeamGB)

Charlotte Worthington

BMX Freestyle | Chorlton

One of the most talked-about and jaw-dropping achievements from Tokyo 2020 was when Chorlton’s Charlotte Worthington not only claimed gold in the women’s BMX Freestyle, but also becoming the first woman in history to land a 360-degree backflip in competition.

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The 25-year-old’s inspiring story saw her go from being a former cook working 40 hours a week in a Mexican restaurant, to Olympic glory.

Stuart Bithell

Sailing | Rochdale

34-year-old Rochdale sailer Stuart Bithell already had a silver medal to his name from London 2012, but alongside partner Dylan Fletcher, he claimed a dramatic men’s 49er gold medal at Tokyo 2020 by narrowly edging out Germany and New Zealand.

The pair won Team GB’s first ever Olympic gold in this discipline.

Matt Walls

Cycling | Oldham

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More cycling success for Team GB came as 23-year-old Oldham-born track cyclist Matt Walls claimed two medals at Tokyo 2020, first bagging a gold medal during a dominant performance in the men’s omnium with a total of 153 points, before securing a silver medal in the Madison alongside Ethan Hayter.

Not bad for his first Olympics, right?

Keely Hodgkinson and Georgia Taylor-Brown / Credit: Twitter (@TeamGB)
23-year-old Oldham-born track cyclist Matt Walls claimed two medals at Tokyo 2020 / Credit: Twitter (@TeamGB)

Silver & Bronze

Keely Hodgkinson

Athletics | Atherton

At just 19 years old, Atherton’s own Keely Hodgkinson took home a silver medal in Tokyo 2020 after she took almost two seconds off her PB and almost six seconds off her 2020’s PB with a time of 1m 55.88s.

Hodgkinson broke the 1995 Kelly Holmes’ British senior record and a European U20 record, becoming the fourth fastest under-20 woman of all time.

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Josh Bugajski

Rowing | Cheadle Heath

Seasoned rower Cheadle Heath’s Josh Bugajski was one eighth of Team GB’s men’s rowing team, who put up a good fight during a thrilling race to take took home a well-deserved bronze medal at Tokyo 2020.

Featured Image – Twitter (@TeamGB)

Sport

‘Enough is enough’: Marcus Rashford calls out fans for ‘months’ of abuse

Danny Jones Danny Jones Marcus Rashford responds to fan abuse: 'enough is enough'

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has put his foot down in a social media post, calling for an end to ‘months of abuse’ from both his own supporters and beyond.

It’s fair to say that the 26-year-old hasn’t been enjoying his best season in a United shirt and while he has had his moments this year – his goal against Arsenal and stunning opener in the Manchester derby, just to name a couple – he’s come under a lot of pressure from supporters.

Rashford previously came out to address the situation in a Players Tribune interview back in February, stating, “I can’t have people questioning my commitment to Man United”, but now the England international has reiterated the point after someone came to his defence on X.

Quoting a fan who wrote that “the way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting”, calling the behaviour online and on matchdays in some cases as “cruel” and downright abuse”, he responded by declaring: “Enough is enough”.

Rashford breaks his silence on the recent abuse.

The Wythenshawe winger has already labelled doubts over his effort levels, love and loyalty to the club “ridiculous”, reiterating time and time again that he’s a boyhood Red, but that hasn’t stopped people continuing to criticise him online.

Sadly, while he’s also insisted that he “can take criticism” and headlines when his performances aren’t quite up to scratch, the negativity hasn’t just been limited to social media and has been spilling out into the matchday stands.

Reports of Rashford being booed off the pitch by his own supporters at Wembley during United’s admittedly chaotic performance against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final were confirmed by multiple sources at the time.

Although he didn’t comment on the response from the travelling Reds at the time, it’s now clear he was abundantly aware of the frosty reception as he was substituted, with many within the fan base and beyond calling the decision to boo your own players “classless” and “shameful”.

Many have drawn parallels to Harry Maguire’s treatment in recent years.

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With seven goals and five assists to his name across all competitions this season, it’s fair to say Marcus Rashford has been a far cry away from the heights he has managed to hit in recent years.

It was only last season that he hit a career-high record of 40 goal contributions, sitting as one of the most prolific players in all of Europe during another difficult season for the club, even managing to surpass club legend Andy Cole’s record.

Just goes to show how short people’s memories can really be – especially when it comes to football – and Erik ten Hag has already urged patience from his fans when it comes to his players, and not just his number ten.

‘The Beautiful Game’ is and always will be a fickle sport but it’s worth reminding of just how much the academy product has already delivered during his time at Man United. Anyone can have a tough season.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester United (via Instagram)

Sport

You can ‘run and rave’ as part of this new charity-driven social in Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones Run The Streets MCR running social event Manchester city centre

If you’re looking for a fun new way to spend a night out or thinking about getting into running but maybe haven’t quite found the right way in for you just yet, this new Manchester run social that starts and ends with a good old-fashioned party might be right up your street.

Run The Streets MCR is a community-led and charity-driven fitness and social event that recently launched in Manchester and has already developed a bit of a cult following in the space of only a couple of months.

The concept is simple: it’s a running social where you can meet new people whilst getting your yards in, just not quite as you know it. Instead of people turning up for a 5k and then heading home, the fun carries on at a host venue where people can keep chatting and mingling whilst having a boogie.

And the best part is that not only is it more of a causally paced, low-pressure jog and crucially social-first, but it’s all for a good cause too.

How it began and the purpose behind the event

Started out by East Manchester locals and lifelong mates, Liam Parker-Worsley and Sarah Edwards, (‘Sezzle’ to those who know her among the Manc running circles), Run The Streets started out as a running social concept at its very core but has now become truly bigger than the sum of its parts.

While the ‘run and rave’ idea has been done before, this particular event is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester and after facing some serious obstacles to get it off the ground and plenty of adversity at the very first hurdle – for lack of a less punny phrase – they’ve managed to turn it into a force for good.

After pivoting the model at the start of 2024 to be completely non-profit, the monthly event is now helping bring people together for a good time, from the tarmac to the tiles, all whilst raising money for the likes of The Running Charity (TRC).

Not only do all the proceeds from the super affordable tickets – we’re talking the same price you’d pay for a decent pint in town these days – go straight back into running the next social, but they also help fund the chosen charity for that month.

Be it national causes like TRC, which recently received huge support from the incredible ‘Hardest Geezer‘s run across Africa, or charities strictly local to Manchester, everyone involved is striding towards a goal – quite literally.

What is Run The Streets MCR?
Meet the team behind the new non-profit run social in Manchester.

Offering a different kind of night out

Speaking to The Manc, co-creator Sezzle says the mission statement is simple: “Everyone’s welcome and you can meet new people whilst running but at the same time we’re giving back to the community.

“We’re supporting local charities, artists and DJs, as well as local running clubs who want to get involved. Essentially, it’s just about bringing people together, which is what run clubs do, but we’re also in a big city and not everyone wants to go out and just drink at a bar all night.

“You want to keep fit, it’s good for your mental health, but you also still want to be social and enjoy yourself. Run The Streets is that Mancunian through and through but everyone’s invited.”

Sober for five months now, she acknowledged that outlets like this are crucial, insisting: “I don’t want to stop going out and having a good time or meeting new people, so this is a way that you can still go out on a Friday night and enjoy a party atmosphere with no pressure to drink”.

run the streets manchester running social
This is what the start of a night in trainers, hi-vis and glow sticks looks like. (Credit: Supplied)

The ‘by Manchester for Manchester’ ethos

Her partner in crime Liam echoed that party-run description, reiterating that whilst people can still get a bit boozy if they like, it’s all about “providing an alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to drink and want to be included but might have felt a little alienated otherwise”.

A fellow Tameside native, he explained how Run The Streets has already partnered with zero-alcohol brands like Clean Break for their inaugural event back in March and now alcohol-free favourite Lucky Saint for their sophomore social this month.

They’ve also already managed to get sports brands involved in the event, offering giveaways, running shoe try-ons and more, most notably hosting the Fight Day 5k across the city centre in partnership with Matchroom Boxing.

“It’s not about the financial aspect for us”, says Liam, “we only charge for tickets to sustain the event and pay for the talent, hiring spaces and so on… It might be different venues, different charities etc., but as long as we focus on core issues to Manchester with a cultural element that’s important to us, we’re happy with that”.

Sez couldn’t agree more, adding: “At the end of the day, we’re Mancs, we’ve watched the city grow into what it is today. When it comes down to it everyone knows about the Manchester spirit, it’s a hard-working area and there’s such a community to this place – we want to make sure everyone feels welcome.

“We look out for each other. That’s how it’s always been.”

Their recent running event with Matchroom ahead of the Gill vs Barrett fight at AO Arena. (Credit: Run The Streets MCR)

Roots in the running and wider Greater Manchester community

Chatting with Tom Lewis, founder of Manchester’s annual 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness and Chairman for the Run The Street’s official host club, Manchester Road Runners, he said that they became interested because they “really liked the idea of sponsoring different charities every month”.

Confessing that it felt like “a natural crossover” given MRR’s size and ethos, as well as their own non-profit work with the British Heart Foundation and Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, he said the “overall response from the first event was incredible – everyone just loved it”.

“There were people dancing on the streets as they saw us come past and there were so many videos on social media. That sort of stuff can really help get people into running who wouldn’t necessarily consider it in the first place.”

“I think it’s going to grow really quickly; the first event sold out and I think the next ones will too, definitely. It’s great to see what just a random group of friends can accomplish when we come together.”

This massive Manchester running club where jogs finish at the pub is the best
Manchester Road Runners is helping bring huge numbers to the event already.

Liam himself couldn’t speak highly enough of the Castlefield-based group, insisting that “me and Sez find a lot of happiness and solace” at MRR.

While they are affiliated with others like KOKO (Keep On Keeping On’s Manchester arm) and Stretford Run Club that they want to help promote, the hope is that events like this might help people who run but don’t attend a club might give them a try in the future.

Regular ambassador and volunteer at both organisations, Natasha Barclay – who herself is over a year into her own sobriety journey – described the flagship event as “such good fun, really welcoming” and filled with plenty of people who had never even run before.

Nat also urged people not to be scared if they’re first-timers to run socials or running full stop, reassuring that “no one gets left behind; even if you can’t really run, you’ll always make it back, have a good time and meet others in the same boat”.

She went on to add: “Run The Streets MCR is all about giving back to the running community which I think can often get overshadowed by social media and certain brands. The spirit can sometimes get taken out of it but this run social puts its straight back in whilst helping Manchester business and DJs.”

Read more:

When we asked the guys to sum this whole experience up in three words or less that weren’t ‘rave and run’, they came up with some pretty telling answers too. “Community, soul and fun”, “alternative Friday fun” and our personal favourite: “Simply for Manchester”.

It’s also worth reiterating that these guys have done it completely off their own backs and are doing so on an entirely voluntary basis on top of their full-time jobs, sometimes juggling two or three different roles. It’s been built over countless late nights and dinner hours, all for the love of running and the city.

The second ever Run The Streets MCR running social and party kicks off this Friday, 26 April from 7pm at Joshua Brooks, with a light 5k around our lovely city centre starting at 7:30pm before heading back to the venue for more tunes, dancing, glowsticks and general good vibes from 8pm onwards.

You can grab the last few remaining tickets HERE and we hope to see a few of you there on the night.

guy running with a speaker in manchester
Come rain or shine, there’s always tunes to keep you going.
run the streets mcr deaf institue
The turnout at the last Run The Streets Manchester social at The Deaf Institute.
Credit: Supplied/The Manc Group

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Run The Streets MCR

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