The West Country at Rio: Olympic highs and lows

Athletes from across the West Country have been competing in a range of sports at the Olympics in Rio. Here are their achievements

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West athlete announces her retirement at just 20

A North Somerset gymnast who helped Team GB women finish fifth in the all-round competition has announced her retirement.

Ruby Harrold showed poise and strength during her uneven bars routine, but has decided to finish her career as an elite gymnast in favour of university.

Ruby Harrold performs during women's gymnastic qualifications in Rio Credit: PA

The 20-year-old, who trains at Portishead, will head to Louisiana State University this September - a move she has put off for three years.

I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life in college gymnastics, but leaving what I know behind will be hard.

Special thankyou to all the girls in the GB squad. You've helped make the tough times manageable and the great times unforgettable.

– Ruby Harrold

RUBY HARROLD - A PROFILE

20-year-old Ruby is a seasoned performer.

At the 2016 British Championships she won beam and bars bronze before going to Bern for the European Championships and helping the team take silver.

Victory parade to celebrate gold medallist Helen Glover

A victory parade will be held for double Olympic Gold Medallist Helen Glover in her home town of Penzance.

An open-topped victory bus will take to the town's streets on September 4.

The former student at Humphry Davy School will be accompanied by the school's band as well as local sporting figures, close friends and family.

Great Britain's Helen Glover (left) and Heather Stanning (right) celebrate winning gold in the Women's Pair Final at The Lagoa Stadium on the seventh day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil. Credit: PA

The bus will depart Newlyn Quarry at 1.30pm and will make its way through town to the Harbour Car Park where the Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Lovegrove, and the Headteacher of Humphry Davy School, Bill Marshall, will greet the parade.

THE ROUTE:

  • Through Newlyn,
  • along the Promenade,
  • short stop for official welcome at Harbour Car Park,
  • Market Jew Street,
  • The Greenmarket,
  • Alverton Street,
  • Penalverne Drive,
  • St Clare Street,
  • Taroveor Road,
  • Tolver Road,
  • Humphry Davy

Penzance is very proud of Helen and her amazing achievement in gaining another gold medal in the 2016 Olympics to sit alongside her medal from the 2012 Olympics.

On behalf of the Town Council and all the people of Penzance -congratulations Helen and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to your home town in true Cornish style!

– Cllr Mike Lovegrove, Town Mayor
Glover and Stanning celebrate their gold medal Credit: USA TODAY Network/SIPA USA/PA Images

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