Husband and wife John and Sheila Sherwood and Roger Taylor are among the past, present and future sporting stars who will be in attendance at the glittering gala dinner, taking place at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EIS Sheffield) on Wednesday 5 October.
John won the bronze medal for the 400-metre hurdles at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. He went on to teach PE at Firth Park Community Arts College, Sheffield, and retired in 2006.
John said: “I’m very excited to be attending Sheffield’s Celebration of Sport. Sheffield has produced so many sporting stars over the years and I’m sure it will continue to breed competitors for generations to come.
“I’m honoured to be included in the celebrations and looking forward to meeting some of the up and coming stars, as well as catching up with some familiar faces.”
Sheila Sherwood also competed at the 1968 Olympic Games and won the silver medal in the long jump She then went on to win gold at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and had a career best distance of 6.73 metres.
Former tennis player, Roger Taylor, who won six singles titles and 10 doubles titles throughout his career, will also be attending the event. Roger was the sole British member of the so-called ‘Handsome Eight’, the original eight players that participated in the first World Championship Tennis tournament, held in January 1968 in Sydney, Australia.
There will be a large number of sporting stars joining John, Sheila and Roger at the event, including Olympic silver medal winning trampolinist, Bryony Page.
Richard Caborn, project lead for the Olympic Legacy Park, said: “We’re really excited that John, Sheila and Roger will be attending Sheffield’s Celebration of Sport. It’s important that we recognise every sporting achievement and all three were extraordinary athletes in their fields.”
Hundreds of guests are expected at the Olympic Legacy Park’s glittering gala event, which will honour the city’s past, present and future sporting success.
Six grassroots sports awards will be presented on the evening to Sports Club of the Year, Sports Woman of the Year, Sports Man of the Year, Future Star, Unsung Hero and an individual, group or team which has overcome adversity.
A range of sponsorship packages and silver and bronze table packages are available for the gala dinner (gold packages are sold out).
Silver packages offer a drinks reception, a table with a sports star, three-course meal, wine and coffee. In the bronze packages, guests will enjoy a drinks reception, three-course meal and coffee.
Individual tickets are available for £100+vat.
To be part of the celebrations, visit http://olympiclegacypark.co.uk/sheffields-celebration-of-sport, email claire@olympiclegacypark.co.uk or call 0114 261 9604.
