'Most successful' Olympics for white water centre

A white water centre, originally built to host events at the London 2012 Olympics, has had its "most successful" Games so far.

Athletes who train at Lee Valley, near Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, have won four medals in Paris.

On Monday, Team GB's Joe Clarke won silver after team-mate Kimberley Woods, a former University of Hertfordshire student, claimed bronze, both in the kayak cross event.

Steve Bromberg, from the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, said the white water centre had been "totally built for legacy".

"To see those guys in Paris is really inspirational for anyone thinking of having a go here," Mr Bromberg said.

"There's been a big outreach programme over the last 11 years to gather those people.

"Let's hope at the next couple of Games in Brisbane and LA there will be a crop of athletes that are homegrown from here who will be representing Team GB."

Since it opened to the public shortly after the 2012 Olympics, the park authority said more than four million people had visited the site - with about 600,000 taking to the water.

The centre offers activities such as rafting, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

At the Paris 2024 Games, Team GB's four medals in the canoe slalom discipline included two silver and two bronze.

Both bronze medals were won by Kimberley Woods. Adam Burgess won silver in the men's event.

Ellis Miller, from GB Canoeing, is hoping to be selected by Team GB for the Los Angeles 2028 Games and said she was thrilled by her team-mates' performances.

"After the 2012 Olympics, Paddle UK went into local schools in the area, fitness tested us and recruited some of us. Ten years later here I am," she said.

"Seeing all of their medal success and how their hard work is translating into their performances is just so inspiring."

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.