Taking Tea with Olympic Champions and Athletics Legends: World Class Kenyan Athletes are in Town

What a thrill it was to welcome 6 world class Kenyan athletes to the Mayor's Parlour yesterday. Huge credit must go to Kenya Community Bedford and all those who have worked to make the prestigious visit happen. It was a great pleasure to meet them all and to thank them for coming to Bedford to take part in a full programme of events through the week for the benefit of the local community.

There are more details of the activities taking place through the week available on the Borough Council Website (see http://www.bedford.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_news/superstar_athletes_in_bedford.aspx). Events include several visits to schools to encourage and inspire youngsters to take part in and enjoy sport, and a 'Run with the Stars' event down at the Athletics Stadium on Saturday for all-comers.

As you can see from the photo, like many visitors to the Parlour, superstar athletes Duncan Kibet, Benjamin Limo, Catherine Ndereba and the legend Paul Tergat did not manage to escape without being dressed up in ceremonial gowns. Current Olympic Champions Sammy Wanjiru and Wilfred Bungei looked on and enjoyed the spectacle!

The athletes were all game and it was a real pleasure to be able to wish them a very happy visit to Bedford. I look forward to catching up with them at further events later in the week.