Leeds’ sporting reputation was handed a further boost with the announcement that a Leeds-born snowboarder and son of a Leeds councillor has been selected to represent Great Britain at this year’s Winter Olympics.
Dom Harington, son of Leeds City Council’s lead member for cycling, Cllr Roger Harington, was announced as part of Team GB. He will travel to Sochi in Russia as part of Team GB’s 7-strong snowboarding line-up.
Dom, who grew up in Leeds attending Bramley Primary School and Abbey Grange High School, will represent Great Britain in the Half Pipe competition and will be hoping to build on the success of Leeds-based athletes in the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games.
The news comes as a proud moment for Dom’s father, Cllr Roger Harington. His role as Deputy Exec member for Children’s Services involves the promotion of sport in schools. He is a keen cyclist and has been involved in the successful bid to host the start of the 2014 Tour de France.
Cllr Roger Harington said:
“Dom’s event requires a lot of skill and a lot of bottle. But he’s had to cope with the disappointment of missing out on the previous two Olympics as well. So to keep going and finally get there has also required great determination. If you’ve played as much sport as I have, and watched as much, especially the Olympics, you find it hard to believe that your son has actually qualified to be there. Whatever cloud is above Cloud Nine, his Mum and I are on it!!”
Dom Harington added:
“Thanks to all the people in Yorkshire who’ve helped me. All those at the dry slope at Sheffield, at the Sno!zone at Castleford, at the Gym at Leeds Met, at Pudsey Gym Magic, at the diving boards and trampoline at the John Charles Centre for Sport and at the Skate park at Hyde Park. Although of course I had to go to the snow to compete, Leeds is a great place to get started and train, not just for snowboarding but for a wide range of sports.”
