After announcing her retirement from athletics, Richard, who is leading the delivery of the Olympic Legacy Park, described the world and Olympic heptathlon champion as an ‘exemplar for Sheffield and the nation.’
 
Richard said: “I want to congratulate Jessica on an outstanding career. She has been a fantastic athlete and a fantastic ambassador for the sport and her legacy will live on for many years to come.
 
“Her success has been a massive inspiration to the hundreds of thousands of youngsters who take part in sports camps, sports days and athletics sessions every year at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield where she trained.
 
“She’s consistently proved herself at the highest level and she should feel incredibly proud of all she’s done and achieved. She is an exemplar for Sheffield and the nation.
 
“We wish Jess all the very best for her retirement.”

Photo caption: (L-R) Toni Minichiello, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Tanya Arnold at Sheffield’s Celebration of Sport