AS Team GB returns from the Rio Olympics grasping 67 glittering medals, their performance is proving inspirational to south Cumbria sports fans, as EMMA PRESTON found out.

IT was a roller coaster of a fortnight - complete with unexpected achievements, unbelievable highs, career-defining moments and poignant farewells.

Now, as the dust settles on Rio 2016, the athletes return home and as the nation wonders what exactly to do now, attention turns to the legacy left by the incredible events of the last two weeks.

Team GB enjoyed enormous success across a range of sports - none more so than on the cycling track - but also in rowing, sailing and canoeing, not to mention that historic win in the women’s hockey. And who could forget the athletics and Mo Farah, who became Great Britain’s greatest track and field athlete by completing the 'double double' of 5,000m and 10,000m golds in consecutive Olympic Games?

Sonja Foster, Barrow and Askam run leader, said: “Team GB have been really inspiring, watching them fight with true grit this time will have caught people’s attention.”

For those interested in running, Parkside Panthers meet at Aldi in Risedale Road on Tuesdays at 6.15pm and Thursday at 5.45pm. Duddon Dragons meet at Askam Duddon Sports and Social Club on Friday at 5.45pm and Sunday at 4.45pm. A new 12-week Couch-to-5k beginners programme starts on Tuesday September 6, while intermediates will tackle 6k to 8k and advanced runners 8k to 10k.

Another defining moment of the Olympics came courtesy of Team GB’s Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, who became the poster boys for brotherly love as they shared an emotional embrace on the finish line of the triathlon. The pair became the first British brothers to win gold and silver at the same event at an Olympics and Alistair the first triathlete to retain an Olympic title.

Ulverston Tri Club head coach, Joshua Bailey, said: “Eight or so years ago, triathlon was relatively low key, but what’s happened since they started competing at this level is a big boost, and I’m sure these games will have the same impact. It’s brilliant to see so many people getting involved and a lot of that is to do with the Brownlees.”

Mr Bailey also paid tribute to Britain’s female triathletes, including bronze medallist, Vicky Holland. She took the country’s first-ever accolade in the women’s event after outsprinting teammate and housemate, Non Stanford.

UTC now has a strong core of women among its 110 members, and the triathlons hosted by the club now tends to attract a gender-balanced field. As well as running regular Try a Tri training courses for beginners, UTC hosts its annual Lakeland Ladies Triathlon to encourage women in particular. Visit www.ulverstontriclub.com to get involved.

Rio proved age is no barrier to Olympic greatness. At 58, Nick Skelton became the oldest medallist ever in Olympic equestrian history after riding to gold in the individual showjumping on Big Star . For those inspired by the likes of Mr Skelton - or two-time dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin - riding schools and horse sanctuaries across the country are holding a national Give Horses a Go weekend.

Witherslack Hall will host free sessions on September 17 and 18 from 10.30am. Call 015395 52244 to book.

Following in the footsteps of Dujardin, Nicola Adams retained her gold medal in the women's flyweight category. As well as an identical medal haul in the Taekwondo, Team GB took one of each in the boxing.

Jeff Moses, of Barrow Amateur Boxing Club, said: “The success of our Olympians shows what young people can achieve, the same as Nicola Adams, the same as Anthony Joshua. They’ve all come through the ranks like our own Liam Conroy, who came to us as a kid and worked all the way through to boxing for world titles.”

Mr Moses, who is hoping he might be able to get Nicola Adams to come to Barrow on one of her tours of the country, said he now sees as many young girls coming through the ranks as young boys.

All children aged six to 10 can attend classes at the Brook Street Gym from 6pm until 6.45pm on Fridays, while those aged 11 to 15 have sessions from 5.30pm until 6.30pm on Mondays.

Another sport experiencing a surge of success after a record-setting Rio is gymnastics. Team GB’s Max Whitlock defied all expectation to take Britain’s first-ever Olympic gymnastics gold in the men’s floor before taking another on the pommel horse.

Tracy Kirk, from Millom Gymnastics Club, said: “This will be written into the British gymnastics history books forever more, and the future of British gymnastics has never looked brighter.

“The historical success of British gymnasts at the games has triggered enormous interest from the public. We have a lot of emails and messages from parents wanting to add their children to our waiting list. There has also been a demand to start gymnastics from a younger age, so much so that we now have pre-school sessions.”

If your children would like to try gymnastics, call 01229 774985.

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