Tunbridge Wells hockey player Ellen Greenall invited to No.10 garden party by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after gold-medal success at Berlin Special Olympics World Games

Teenage hockey player Ellen Greenall celebrated the gold medal she won at the 2023 Berlin Special Olympics World Games in style - with a trip to No.10 Downing Street!

Greenall, from Tunbridge Wells Hockey Club, was part of the inaugural Team Special Olympics Great Britain squad which won gold in Germany, beating Bulgaria.

Alongside her team-mates, the 18-year-old reunited with Team Special Olympics GB athletes from other sports, volunteer coaches, parents and supporters for a garden party celebration after an invitation from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

He said: “The strength and ability of these athletes is inspiring, and I am proud that No.10 hosted Team GB as we celebrate their incredible success at the recent Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

“Sport is one of the best ways to bring people together - breaking down barriers to opportunity, building relationships and growing confidence - and the work of the Special Olympics Committee and Special Olympics GB is making a huge difference.”

Team Special Olympics GB athletes won a haul of 137 medals and 47 ribbons at Berlin 2023 in 17 of the 26 sporting competitions that were staged across the city. As the biggest inclusive sporting event of 2023, more than 7,000 international athletes with intellectual disabilities participated over the nine days of competition.

Laura Baxter MBE, strategic director of growth and legacy at Special Olympics GB, added: “Being invited to 10 Downing Street is a fantastic gesture by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and demonstrates just how highly valued our athletes’ achievements are across the country.

“Each athlete has overcome adversity to represent their nation on the world stage and they have made memories that will last a lifetime.

“As well