From swimmers to runners and gymnasts, winning bronze, silver and/or gold – Mansfield and Ashfield have a pool of sporting talent who have excelled at prestigious Olympic and Paralympic games over the years.
Here are nine sports stars from our area…
5. Sam Hynd
Sam Hynd is a retired British para-swimmer. He was born in Sutton. He competed in the Paralympics as a S8 classification swimmer, having club feet and mild form of muscular dystrophy. He is the brother of Ollie Hynd. Picture: Swimmer Sam Hynd unveiled the picture of himself at Water Meadows in Mansfield, along with Mayor Tony Egginton and Coach Glenn Smith. Photo: Angela Ward
6. John Whetton
John Whetton is a retired British middle-distance runner. He is best noted for winning gold in the 1,500 metres at the 1969 European Athletics Championships and reaching the 1500 metre final in both the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics. John is from Mansfield and is now 82. Photo: National World
7. Gabby Adcock
Chris also went to the Olympics with wife, Gabby Adcock, in Rio 2016. The 2-time Commonwealth and European champions Chris and Gabby Adcock announced their retirement in 2021. The couple competed in Mixed Doubles. Photo: National World
8. The Downie sisters
The eighth and and ninth sport stars on the list are Hucknall gymnastic stars from Team GB - Becky and Ellie Downie - who were appointed MBEs in the New Year Honours for 2024. Ellie Downie announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 23 in order to prioritise her 'mental health and happiness'. But her sister Rebecca 'Becky' still competes. She competed at the 2008, 2016, and 2024 Summer Olympics. She is a double European champion and 2014 Commonwealth Games champion on the uneven bars as well as the 2019 World silver medallist. Photo: Getty Images