"The next Olympic stars could be from Teesside"
Cycling clubs prepare for an influx of new starters after Team GB dominate the sport in Rio
It’s hoped Team GB's success in Rio will help unearth the next generation of sporting stars in the North East.
Despite the games being over, there’s no sign of Olympic fever slowing down in our region, with coaches hoping it will help unearth the sporting stars of the future.
Jack Rees is Go Ride coach for British Cycling and helps cyclists train at Middlesbrough velodrome.
He said: "There was a massive increase in uptake after the London Olympics and the legacy there, but with us having the facility here with a cycle track and a velodrome, a lot of people want to try it and have been inspired.
"There's no reason now that in Tokyo or the Olympics after you'd see someone from Middlesbrough who has rode the track all through the last 10 years.
"It's really encouraging, it's a great time to be involved in the sport in the area."
Many children in our region also say they’ve been hit by the ‘Tinkler Effect’.
16-year-old Amy from Bishop Auckland picked up a bronze in the floor exercise.
Since then, clubs tell us more and more people are calling up to sign their kids up.
One youngster told us:
“When I watch the Olympics, I say I can do that and I want to try and do that.”
Another said:
“Because Amy is so young, I think if I train and I put my mind to it I can do that too.”
Newcastle Gymnastics Academy are taking in up to 40 new enquiries every day, compared to just three or four.
Karen Chapman, Chief Exec, said:
“It’s all down to the Olympics and the success of Amy Tinkler.
“You get more and more children wanting to do gymnastics and work hard. They see the success that Amy has had and they want to do the same thing.”
Paula Thomas represented Team GB in Sydney in 2000. She now heads up artistic gymnastics at the club. Paula said:
“If your dream is big enough and you’re willing to work hard enough, anybody can make it. I love that and I love to inspire the kids to say you know what that is just through pure hard work and determination.
“They’re watching it on TV and they come in and say oh I’ve seen someone do this, can I do this? Can I try that? Having someone on your doorstep winning and medal, especially since they know her to talk to, it’s great. Everyone is so happy.”