OLYMPIC diver Tom Daley OBE will be racing through Dorchester and Bridport this week after beginning his own multi-sport challenge.
The challenge is dubbed Tom Daley’s Hell of a Homecoming, which will see him travel from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, to his hometown of Plymouth - in order to raise money for Comic Relief.
The gruelling event will see the Olympic gold medal winner, swim, cycle and run his way to the finish line, including a 130-mile bike ride on Wednesday (February 16) from Southampton to Devon's Bovey Castle - via Blandford, Dorchester and Bridport.
Dorset County councillor for West Dorchester Les Fry said the town is 'very active' with sport and he predicts the community to line the streets in support of the Olympic gold medalist.
Mr Fry said: "It will be a great opportunity for the Dorchester public to see such an important fundraising event.
"Dorchester is a very active town for sport, and a lot of gymnastic and cycling enthusiasts as well as vibrant young people and youth centres such as 1610 Dorchester Sports Centre.
"Hopefully enough people will line the streets and welcome Tom."
Anna Butler, spokeswoman for Archbishop Wake Primary School in Blandford, said the whole school will be out in force to cheer on the Olympic diver.
She said: "As of right now, Tom is due to pass through High Street, in Blandford anytime between 9.45am to 10.15am.
"We will be going as a whole school of over 400 pupils to cheer Tom on on Wednesday. What a fantastic opportunity for the children to see a real-life Olympic gold medal winner in action for a fantastic cause."
Following his trip through Blandford, the Olympic diver is expected to reach Dorchester by noon and then onto Bridport just after 2pm.
Mr Daley is Team GB’s most decorated diver, with 11 World, Commonwealth and European gold medals and four Olympic medals. His first Olympic gold medal came in the 10-metre synchro event alongside diving partner Matty Lee at Tokyo 2020.
How the challenge will unfold:
Day 1
Rowing six miles at the aquatics centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, followed by a 60 mile cycle from the Tower of London to the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake (Team GB Rowing’s training ground).
Day 2
Swimming 1,000m in the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing lake and cycling 63 miles to Southampton, where Tom started his diving career in 2003.
Day 3
Cycling 130 miles from Southampton to Bovey Castle in Dartmoor National Park, where he married his husband in 2017.
Day 4
Running 30 miles from Bovey Castle to his hometown of Plymouth.
How to follow Tom Daley’s Hell of a Homecoming:
You can follow Tom’s journey on the Comic Relief website, with a live tracker showing his progress: www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/challenges/tomdaley
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