Olympic hero Jason to be honoured on Spirit of Sport
9:00am Wednesday 21st January 2009 in Search Module
OLYMPIC hero Jason Kenny’s portrait will be added to Bolton’s Spirit of Sport statue this year, Bolton Council has confirmed.
The face of the 20-year-old Farnworth cyclist, who scooped gold and silver medals in Beijing last summer, will be added to more than 600 “sportraits” which already adorn the towering tribute near the Reebok Stadium.
Jason said it would be “cool” to be included on the Spirit of Sport.
He said: “I think it’s really good to recognise all the good sports people from Bolton— and it’s a great honour to be included alongside some of the great names on there.
“My dad went on the council’s website to see who I’m going to be on there with. He’s really proud.”
His father, Michael, said: “I am sure that Jason will be very proud to have his face alongside the hundreds of other sports heroes on the Spirit of Sport.”
Boxer Amir Khan, former Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce and football legend Francis Lee are among the sports people etched onto the 30 metre-high sculpture which is located at the junction of De Havilland Way and Burnden Way.
Cllr Akhtar Zaman, Bolton Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “What better way to pay further tribute to Jason, our first Olympic gold medallist, than to represent him on our most prominent piece of public art celebrating our sporting history.
“We’re planning to add our golden boy, along with other professional and amateur sportsmen and women, later in the year.”
Jason was honoured by the borough last August when hundreds of fans turned out in Victoria Square to hear him speak about his experiences in Beijing. He also had a tour of Bolton Town Hall with the Mayor, Cllr Anthony Connell.
The Spirit of Sport statue was designed by Stockport-based Eaton Waygood Associates and cost £350,000. It was installed in December, 2005.
A special website — www.thespiritofsport.org.uk — has a database of all the featured sports people.
andrew.greaves@ theboltonnews.co.uk
