Crowds flocked to see Athens medal winners and show their support for the bid to bring the Olympics to England.
The county's gold medal-winning paralympian, Danny Crates, and bronze medallist Lloyd Upsdell were joined by regional organisations to launch the East of England backing bid in Chelmsford on Saturday.
Winner of the 800m in Athens, Danny Crates said: "It would be great to think we could have the Olympics here in Britain. Twice now, I have seen what it does to a country. It's Olympic fever. Everyone is so excited. I think the same would happen in London and it would be great for the interest in sport in Britain."
Members of the public flocked to meet the athletes and register their support for the bid by jumping through a leap-o-meter which registers everyone who passes under its arch.
Lloyd Upsdell, who sprinted to third place in the 200 metres, added: "Having the Olympics in this country would be fantastic, and we can help bring it here, by backing the bid, either on the website or by signing a postal petition."
Published Monday, October 4, 2004
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