Olympic champion Emma Finucane opens new women-only gym in Carmarthen

The new venue, KC Leisure, is located in Parc Pensarn and features a state-of-the-art women-only gym and studio on the first floor, alongside a range of facilities open to all, including a coffee shop, treatment rooms, sunbeds, and a spin room.

Emma Finucane said: “It’s amazing to have a women-only gym in Carmarthen. It’s important for women to feel confident in the gym and this will give them that space. Now I know this is here, when I come home, I feel I can come here to train, it’s an amazing facility.”

Finucane, who trains with Team GB in Manchester, won gold in the women’s team sprint at the Paris 2024 Olympics, along with bronze medals in the keirin and sprint disciplines. She became the first British woman to win three medals at a single Olympic Games since 1964, and is now preparing to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games next year.

The KC Leisure project received funding through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, with support from Carmarthenshire County Council.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “We are proud to see the opening of this dedicated women-only gym, made possible through UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund support. This is a significant step towards removing barriers and encouraging more women to take part in health and wellbeing activities in a comfortable, inclusive environment. It’s a fantastic example of how targeted investment can make a real difference in our communities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in this project.”

KC Leisure also includes a sauna, ice baths, and a short-term creche for gym users. The opening was attended by Cllr Russell Sparks, deputy mayor of Carmarthen, who welcomed the centre’s contribution to local regeneration.

Cllr Russell Sparks said: “It’s great to see a centre like this to support women with their health and wellbeing but it is also great to see regeneration in Carmarthen town.”

#Carmarthen #CarmarthenTownCouncil #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrHazelEvans #CllrRussellSparks #EmmaFinucane #gym #Olympics #women #womenSGym

Pupils from over 10 schools, including Model School and St John Lloyd which Emma attended as a pupil, and Johnston School and QE High School where Jessica was educated, along with Actif’s Young Ambassadors cheered and celebrated their brilliant Olympians at a special question-and-answer event, arranged by Carmarthenshire County Council and hosted by Rhodri Gomer Davies.

During this year’s Paris Olympics, 21-year-old Emma Finucane, won gold as part of the Great Britain & Northern Ireland’s women’s track cycling team sprint, before claiming the bronze medal in the keirin and sprint disciplines. Emma is the first British woman to win three medals at a single Olympic games since 1964.

Jessica Roberts, 25 years of age, won bronze in the women’s track cycling team pursuit event in Paris.

Not content with their phenomenal Olympic success, both girls have since become UCI World Champions in their specialised fields.

On receiving their much-deserved applause from adoring school pupils, Jessica Roberts said:

“It’s really special to me as this is where it all started for me. Carmarthen is not the biggest place, so to have two people from Carmarthen that have had some great success in cycling is special.

“It’s great to be back here and I just want to inspire some young kids to do what we do.”

Emma Finucane said:

“It’s incredible to come home and to have this reception, here today, was pretty surreal. I didn’t realise how many schools would be here today but it’s why I do it, I want to inspire young girls and boys to get on their bike and ride.

“To come back to where it started, to come back to the velodrome and to see my friends and family is really, really special.”

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism – Cllr Hazel Evans said:

“We are so very proud of both Emma and Jessica’s achievements at the Olympics this year and it is wonderful to see our school pupils celebrate their heroes’ success.

“It is worth noting that both Jessica and Emma began their illustrious careers with Towy Riders on the Velodrome in Carmarthen. Their journey from local talent to international champions is a testament to their hard work and the excellent support from our community. 

“Emma’s achievements have also been recognised locally, as she has been the winner of Carmarthenshire’s Annual Sports Personality Awards for the past two years. Furthermore, she is the current BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year. Her consistent excellence and dedication to her sport are truly inspiring. 

“Emma and Jessica are not only Olympic medallists, they are also Carmarthenshire girls and are inspiring the next generation of athletes. Llongyfarchiadau mawr i chi ferched.”

[Lead image Carmarthenshire County Council]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/05/carmarthenshire-school-pupils-welcome-home-their-olympic-heroes-2/

#Carmarthen #cycling #EmmaFinucane #JohnstonSchool #Olympics #Paris2024 #StJohnLloydSchool

Pupils from over 10 schools, including Model School and St John Lloyd which Emma attended as a pupil, and Johnston School and QE High School where Jessica was educated, along with Actif’s Young Ambassadors cheered and celebrated their brilliant Olympians at a special question-and-answer event, arranged by Carmarthenshire County Council and hosted by Rhodri Gomer Davies.

During this year’s Paris Olympics, 21-year-old Emma Finucane, won gold as part of the Great Britain & Northern Ireland’s women’s track cycling team sprint, before claiming the bronze medal in the keirin and sprint disciplines. Emma is the first British woman to win three medals at a single Olympic games since 1964.

Jessica Roberts, 25 years of age, won bronze in the women’s track cycling team pursuit event in Paris.

Not content with their phenomenal Olympic success, both girls have since become UCI World Champions in their specialised fields.

On receiving their much-deserved applause from adoring school pupils, Jessica Roberts said:

“It’s really special to me as this is where it all started for me. Carmarthen is not the biggest place, so to have two people from Carmarthen that have had some great success in cycling is special.

“It’s great to be back here and I just want to inspire some young kids to do what we do.”

Emma Finucane said:

“It’s incredible to come home and to have this reception, here today, was pretty surreal. I didn’t realise how many schools would be here today but it’s why I do it, I want to inspire young girls and boys to get on their bike and ride.

“To come back to where it started, to come back to the velodrome and to see my friends and family is really, really special.”

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism – Cllr Hazel Evans said:

“We are so very proud of both Emma and Jessica’s achievements at the Olympics this year and it is wonderful to see our school pupils celebrate their heroes’ success.

“It is worth noting that both Jessica and Emma began their illustrious careers with Towy Riders on the Velodrome in Carmarthen. Their journey from local talent to international champions is a testament to their hard work and the excellent support from our community. 

“Emma’s achievements have also been recognised locally, as she has been the winner of Carmarthenshire’s Annual Sports Personality Awards for the past two years. Furthermore, she is the current BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year. Her consistent excellence and dedication to her sport are truly inspiring. 

“Emma and Jessica are not only Olympic medallists, they are also Carmarthenshire girls and are inspiring the next generation of athletes. Llongyfarchiadau mawr i chi ferched.”

[Lead image Carmarthenshire County Council]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/05/carmarthenshire-school-pupils-welcome-home-their-olympic-heroes/

#Carmarthen #cycling #EmmaFinucane #JohnstonSchool #Olympics #Paris2024 #StJohnLloydSchool

🚴‍♀️ We had THREE newly-crowned world champions - Emma Finucane, Charlie Hatton and Fin Graham - in the 5 Live studio this morning.

🥇They all claimed gold at the first ever combined UCI Cycling World Championships in Scotland.

#RickEdwards #ConnieMcLaughlin #EmmaFinucane #CharlieHatton #FinGraham #GlasgowScotland2023 #UCI #CyclingWorldCup #cycling #sport #GoldMedal