From Louise Raymond, Exeter 383578, September 29, 2008

OLYMPIC and paralympic athletes from across Devon will be congratulated by Devon County Council Chairman at a civic reception to honour Devon's sporting heroes - past, present and future.

The reception will pay tribute to Devon's Bejing Olympic stars, as well as some of the Devonians who have represented Great Britain in previous games. Devon's young gifted and talented athletes will also be attending, as Devon's future Olympic stars.

Amongst the guests will be representatives from Team Devon, sports officials and coaches and Devon County Councillors. Mark Tyler, Head of Sport for Westcountry News, will compere the event.

Chairman of Devon County Council, Cllr John Rawlinson said: "Devon athletes played an important part in Great Britain's sporting success in Bejing, and I wanted to congratulate them on their achievements.

"We have invited all of Devon's Olympic and Paralympic athletes and are delighted that some of them have been able to take time out from their hectic training schedules to accept this acknowledgement on behalf of the whole team.

"We also have a wealth of young sporting talent who show great promise for the 2012 Olympics in London, and who deserve recognition for their commitment and dedication. Already they are making themselves known on the national stage in their particular sports, and they could be the sporting heroes of the future.

"I also feel we should pay tribute to the teams behind these athletes - the coaches, officials and parents who give up so much of their time and energy to ensure our athletes are given the best possible opportunities. They are the unsung heroes behind every medal."

The reception follows an announcement by Devon County Council of a £200,000 funding package to support Devon's prospective 2012 athletes and to ensure the county can play its part in supporting the London 2012 Olympics.

An extra £100,000 is to go to support 'Team Devon', a partnership of local businesses, sporting bodies and local authorities set up to make sure Devon can play its full part in preparing for London 2012 and to help the county benefit fully from potential economic and investment opportunities.

In addition, £100,000 is also to be invested via schools and young people's organisations.

Devon County Council Leader, Cllr Brian Greenslade, said: "Team GB's efforts at this year's Olympics are one of the success stories of our sporting history, and we need to build on this and do all we can to make sure Devon plays its part in a successful London 2012 and we benefit fully from the opportunities this will create.

"Achieving Olympic success takes years of hard work and dedication and we want to pay tribute to Devon's Olympic sports men and women as well as doing all we can to help and support our potential young sporting stars of the future to develop."

The reception will take place on Thursday, October 2, at 6.30pm.

Ends

Note to news eds:

PHOTO / FILMING OPPORTUNITY: You are invited to send a reporter and photographer / cameraman to the reception at County Hall, Exeter on Thursday, October 2, at 6.30pm.

Councillor John Rawlinson is available on 01805 624548.

Councillor Brian Greenslade is available on 01271 372065.