Sadiq Khan and Theresa May are both making supportive noises about an Olympic victory parade
Sadiq Khan has come out in favour of an Olympic victory parade after the Rio games, while Downing Street is also hinting at support, despite rumours that a celebration of British athletes had been "binned".
Team GB currently sits second in the medal table in Rio, but former Olympic rower Sir Matthew Pinsent has suggested that despite parades following the Beijing and London games, a 2016 celebration had been nixed.
Dear @MayorofLondon is this true about the @TeamGB parade? Binned apparently.
— Matthew Pinsent (@matthewcpinsent) August 16, 2016
I've heard from 2 different sources today that there won't be a @TeamGB parade this year. Bit sad about that. 04,08,12 – now finito.
— Matthew Pinsent (@matthewcpinsent) August 16, 2016
However, politicians have this morning begun making supportive noises over a parade.
Khan told BBC Radio this morning that he was in talks with Westminster over a celebration.
“I’m keen for it [a parade] to happen and we are speaking to the Paralympian chiefs and Olympian chiefs, as well as the government, to ensure we celebrate the fantastic achievements – our best ever overseas Olympics," Khan said.
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The mayor added that he was "optimistic" on the prospects of a celebration: "What is important is that we obviously have got the Paralympics coming up as well, and we celebrate a hero’s return from Rio – our Olympians and Paralympians.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “This is something we have been looking at and we’ll provide an update on our plans in due course.”
The Rio games have been Team GB's most successful overseas Olympics, with British athletes securing more than 50 medals.