Hannah keeps her local club on track

Leeds Athletics Club has received a piece of sporting history as Paralympic, World and European champion wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft presented the club with a commemorative piece of the London 2012 athletics track that she claimed double gold on four years ago.
Paralympic, World and European champion Hannah Cockroft presents Leeds Athletics Club with commemorative piece of London 2012 track.  1 December 2016.  Picture Bruce RollinsonParalympic, World and European champion Hannah Cockroft presents Leeds Athletics Club with commemorative piece of London 2012 track.  1 December 2016.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Paralympic, World and European champion Hannah Cockroft presents Leeds Athletics Club with commemorative piece of London 2012 track. 1 December 2016. Picture Bruce Rollinson

The 24-year-old, from Halifax, also joined in a training session with her local athletics club wheelchair racing team at John Charles Centre for Sport, where she started her career.

Cockroft, who recently added to her two gold medals at London 2012 with three more at Rio 2016, presented a large, decorative framed piece of the track to the club. In recognition of her incredible achievements, which include five Paralympic, seven World and two European gold medals. Hannah was also presented with a piece of the track to keep as a memento.

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During her visit to Leeds City AC, Cockroft said: “I’m so happy to be here today to award my club with this beautiful piece of London 2012 track.

“Leeds City Athletics Club has been instrumental in my success during my early years, and I cannot thank them enough for the support and opportunities they have given me. I’m delighted to be able to give something back in this iconic London 2012 memento.”

Ian Cooke, Leeds AC Chairperson, said: “We would like to thank Hannah so much for returning here to train with us and present a gift that we will cherish forever. She is such a fantastic role model and the wheelchair racing team is stronger than ever, we hope this really inspires others to follow in Hannah’s footsteps for Paralympic glory.”

Alan Skewis, Director of E20 Stadium LLP said: “We’re delighted to present a piece of London 2012 history to local clubs and incredible athletes who brought glory for the nation at a truly unforgettable home games. We hope this piece of the track will take pride in Leeds City AC clubhouse and inspire its wheelchair racing team and other athletes to follow in the footsteps of legends like Hannah.”

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The London 2012 track that Hannah claimed gold in the T34 100m and 200m has been removed and replaced ahead of the London 2017 IAAF World Championships and World Para-Athletics Championships next summer.

The public is being given the chance to own a piece of the iconic London 2012 track after it was successfully removed from the former Olympic Stadium. The majority of the track is available for people to buy at £60 for a framed piece of track (120mm x 75mm set mounted into a 203mm x 152mm piece of acrylic.)

Pieces of the original London 2012 track have been made into a range of exclusive sporting memorabilia and are available to purchase from london2012track.com.

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