ATHLETES across Somerset and Dorset are in Paris this week representing Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics – and there are eight hopefuls vying for gold medals. 

The Olympics officially kicks off this Friday (July 26) and there are three athletes from Poole competing in women’s rugby sevens, trampolining and sailing, a rower from Christchurch and a rugby player from Gillingham, while Somerset boasts a swimmer from Taunton, a rower from Wells and a martial artist competing in Judo from Weston-super-Mare. 

Amy Wilson-Hardy, Poole, Rugby Sevens 

Amy is one of the three Team GB women’s Rugby Sevens players who featured in the sport’s Olympic debut at Rio 2016.  

She is said to have been a crucial part of the victory at the 2023 European Games which has led to the success of her journey to the Olympics in Paris this year.  

Falling in love with the sport at Worthing Rugby Club at aged 11, from her childhood in Poole Amy has carved out a successful career for herself within the sport despite injures and setbacks.  

Amy Wilson-Hardy Picture: Team GB

Izzy Songhurst, Poole, Gymnastic Trampoline  

Izzy is making her debut at the Paris Olympics this year as a 25-year-old trampolinist.  

Within a mixed team Izzy has already achieved European and World Championship golds placing her as a leading figure in British trampolining, making Paris a chance for her to prove to the world, in future will be one of the world’s bests.  

Izzy expressed her passion for trampolining from a young age aided by her Poole upbringing she is working towards an Olympic Gold Medal this year.  

Izzy Songhurst Picture: Team GB

Ellie Aldridge, Poole, Sailing  

Another Poole raised girl joins the Olympics for a sport her town cherishes.  

As a keen sailor Ellie has got herself a silver medal at the Olympic test even in July 2023 and in August’s World Championships.  

Kite foiling was said to be Ellie’s source of fun at weekends but things got a little more serious when the class she took part in was added to the Olympic programme ahead of Paris 2024, catapulting her sailing career.  

Ellis Aldridge Picture: Team GB

Isla Norman-Bell, Gillingham, Rugby Sevens 

Born in Gillingham, Isla got accepted into the University of Auckland in New Zealand and was named the institution’s sportswoman of the year in 2019.  

She was part of the Rugby Sevens team who achieved gold at the European Games in 2023 securing their qualification for the Paris Olympics.  

Isla Norman-Bell with her teammates Picture: Team GB

Rebecca Wilde, Taunton, Rowing 

Rebecca spent years as a successful swimmer in her childhood town of Taunton and representing Wales before picking up an oar for the first time at the University of Bath after being inspired by gold medallists Helen Glover and Heather Stanning at the 2012 London Olympics.  

Within 5 years Rebecca followed in the footsteps of these two women and joined the GB Start Programme.  

Wilde qualified for Paris 2024 in the women’s double sculls alongside her team mate Mathilda Hodgkins Byrne at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta.   

Rebecca Wilde Picture: Team GB

Matt Alridge, Christchurch, Rowing  

Matt’s love for rowing came at a young age and was nurtured by coach and dad Steve at the local Dorset Club.  

Christchurch’s three European Championship gold medallist met his fiancé when both part of the GB U23 and plan to get married after the Games.  

Matt Alridge Picture: Team GB

Annie Campbell-Orde, Wells, Rowing 

A firstly competitive netballer in her home town of Wells, Annie picked up rowing at the university of Loughborough after deciding to switch sports. 

Annie made her international debut as part of the women’s eight in 2023, a year after moving to Henley to train full-time. 

She qualified for Paris 2024 with a fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Rowing Championships, as well as winning silver at the 2023 and 2024 Europeans. 

Annie Campbell-Orde Picture: Team GB

Lele Nairne, Weston-super-Mare, Judo 

From the age of nine Weston-Super-Mare Lele was sent to Judo by her parents with the hope to tame her wild side, in months she was obsessed.  

She won bronze in the U18 Euro cup and later claimed victory at the British Judo Championships last year and will make her Olympic debut at Paris 2024 in the -57kg category. 

Lele Nairne Picture: Team GB