Starting blocks for Team GB athletes

T

he journey to Olympics glory often begins at humble grassroots sports clubs, where many Team GB athletes took their first steps. These local venues provided the foundational training and support that helped shape the athletes’ paths to success. From swimming pools to community track fields, discover the clubs offering aspiring athletes the opportunities to play sport and pursue their dreams at affordable prices.

Won GB’s first women’s windsurfing medal since 2008 with bronze in 2021.

First club
Christchurch Harbour, Dorset is a great place to learn to windsurf and kitesurf as it’s an extremely safe arena with beginner sessions from £18 for adults. Find out more at Shore Sports based in Christchurch.

Trains
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy teaches every level from grassroots windsurfing to windfoiling.

Double Olympic Gold swimmer aiming for a third successive 100m title at the Paris 2024 Games.

First club
Dove Valley Swimming Club at the Uttoxeter Leisure Centre offers free passes to first -time swimming triallists.

Trains
At the British Swimming National Centre based at Loughborough University  Sports Centre. Public swim sessions are available – for times and fees head to lboro.ac.uk

Set a 300m world-best at 13. She earned bronze in the 4x100m relay at Rio 2016 and London 2017. In 2018, she achieved a historic sprint treble and in 2019, won World Championship silver and gold.

First club
Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC. Members from 11 years old up to 80-plus, always looking for new runners.

Trains
Norman Park Community Sports Centre where the Harriers run evening training sessions. There’s a trackside café, too.

Chose triathlon over athletics and is an Olympic gold winner and Super League Triathlon Champion.

First club
Kent AC welcomes prospective members to open sessions on Tuesday or Thursday evenings at The Alex Yee Ladywell Arena, London.

Trains
The Brownlee Centre, University of Leeds where you can ride the 1.6km cycle circuit – one of the longest in the country – designed for cyclists of all abilities.

The first Team GB diver with four Olympic medals and 11 Commonwealth, World and European golds, including Tokyo 2020.

First club
Plymouth Diving Club where a Junior Diving course starts from £33. The club is part of the competitive arm of the training scheme.

Trains
London Aquatics Centre – family swims with inflatables cost £11 (adults) and £8 (juniors).

Will compete in three events at Paris – women’s sprint, team sprint and keirin. First club The Geraint Thomas National Velodrome where the Indoor Group Cycling uses 40 award -winning Tomahawk IC7’s.

Trains
The National Cycling Centre at the Manchester Velodrome which runsvarious sessions from beginners to advanced. Equipment and clothing is available to hire.

A marathon runner who holds the British junior record over 10,000m. She missed out on selection at Tokyo 2020 but will make her debut at Paris 2024.

First club
Aldershot, Farnham and District AC welcomes new members and also needs volunteers to help out with race meets.

Trains
Windsor Great Park is ideal for running. The Park is also part of the National Cycle Route (Network 4) with designated approved cycling paths.

Retained his Olympic pommel horse title at Tokyo 2020, winning his third gold medal. Already Team GB’s most successful Olympic gymnast, the 28-year-old secured his place in history.

First club
The Sapphire School of Gymnastics, which offers classes for toddlers through to adults.

Trains
South Essex GC in Basildon which offers training in ‘FreeG’ – a fusion combining gymnastics, parkour, free running and martial arts. Find out more at british-gymnastics.org

Became the new British No1 for the first time in his career this year, off the back of winning his first ATP title.

First club
Sutton Tennis & Squash Club has 9 floodlit tennis courts, beginners classes and offers a free day pass to try the club any time.

Trains
The LTA National Tennis Centre, London, but Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre is the largest public tennis centre with 80-plus courts available to hire.