TODAY sees the launch of SunSport’s SEINE-sational Series for the Paris Olympics, which kicks off with a glitzy Opening Ceremony by the River Seine on July 26, 2024.
Over the next 12 months, we will follow seven Brits – five prospective Olympians and two Paralympians – who will be targeting glory in 2024 with regular updates plus in-depth interviews as they build up to the Paris Olympic Games.
TOM DEAN, swimming
The 23-year-old from Maidenhead will defend his 200m freestyle title in Paris.
No man has managed to retain this event at Olympic level — not even legends Mark Spitz, Ian Thorpe or Michael Phelps.
Team GB ace Dean also claimed gold in the men’s 4×200 freestyle relay in Tokyo.
He goes for multiple medals next summer and could end up being the face of the Games.
JOY HAIZELDEN, wheelchair basketball
The 24-year-old, who was adopted from a China orphanage by a Southampton couple, was part of the Team England side that won 3×3 basketball bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Trains at the University of Alabama in the United States.
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JESSICA & JENNIFER GADIROVA, artistic gymnastics
The 18-year-old twins are among the biggest names in artistic gymnastics.
Already they have medals on their impressive CVs from Olympic, world and European level.
The tumbling pair were part of the British side that famously won team bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics behind the Russians and Americans.
Jessica is the reigning floor world champion.
The next worlds will take place in Antwerp in September and October.
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KATY MARCHANT, track cycling
It was at the Rio Olympics seven years ago when Katy Marchant won bronze in the individual sprint, finishing behind team-mate Becky James.
Since then the 30-year-old has got married and had a son named Arthur in June 2022.
Marchant is back on the saddle, planning for the World Track Cycling Championships next month in Glasgow.
The Leeds rider is a real role model as a sporting mum.
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DARYLL NEITA, athletics
The Londoner is the second fastest British woman in history with a personal best of 10.90 seconds for the women’s 100m.
Only Dina Asher-Smith has run quicker (10.83 seconds).
The pair will form part of a fascinating rivalry on the Road to Paris – and then come together for the 4x100m relay squad.
Neita, 26, trains in Italy, having relocated from Florida, and is entering the best time of her running life.
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STUART ROBINSON, wheelchair rugby
Britain’s gold medal-winning performance against the United States in the wheelchair rugby final was the standout moment of the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics.
Stuart Robinson, a former RAF Regiment Gunner, was an integral part of that success.
In 2013, his life changed forever when he was caught up in an explosion while on his fourth deployment to Afghanistan.
Robinson, from Morecambe, lost his lower left leg immediately in the blast and then later his shattered right leg was amputated.
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