The London Sports Festival is hosting a homecoming celebration for Team England's gold medalists as they return to the capital from the Commonwealth Games.
Gold medalists from England's 3x3 basketball team will arrive at Paternoster Square at midday on Thursday, where they will meet and greet fans of the three-a-side basketball variation. The team, who also paid a visit to the court ahead of the tournament, will also participate in live interviews, sharing the best bits of their journey to gold in Glasgow.
The men's team, made up of Evan Walshe, Jamell Anderson, Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye and Ashley Hamilton, retained their title from four years ago by defeating Australia in a nailbiting 19-17 win.
Celebrations and Summer Sports Programme
Celebrations with the medalists will run from 12pm to 2pm, before the usual summer sports programme continues.
Londoners have been enjoying basketball all summer long in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral. The annual sporting series, organised by the Central London Alliance - gives Londoners and visitors the chance to connect over a whole array of sports. In its 3x3 basketball series, tickets to play on the courts at Paternoster Square can be purchased for just £8 for 30 minutes of play.
Other Sports and Community Impact
Other offerings have included pickleball, padel, and panna football, with more sports to come in the months ahead.
Tony Matharu, founder and Chairman of Central London Alliance, said: "The response to Central London Alliance's 3×3 basketball activation has been outstanding and demonstrates exactly what the London Sports Festival is all about – transforming public spaces into places where people can come together, be active and experience sport in the heart of our capital.
From children picking up a basketball for the very first time to businesses competing with colleagues and elite coaches inspiring the next generation, this programme reflects the power of sport to bring communities together."
