Dora McHardy roared on Team GB’s women’s footballers from home at Tokyo 2020 and is excited to be much closer to the action next summer as a Team GB Mini Mascot.

The eight-year-old from Godalming plays for Milford Pumas and Surrey Nomads in her spare time but will watch any form of competitive sports alongside her mother, Briar.

The St. Hilary’s School pupil is one of six children selected to be a Team GB Mini Mascot from across the nation, an extraordinary opportunity to be part of the action on Team GB’s journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“I watched the football in Tokyo on the TV and I really look up to Adam Peaty as well, because he’s a really good swimmer and breaststroke is my favourite stroke,” she said.

“I would like to meet some athletes because it would just be super cool and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do for if I ever become a professional athlete.

“I am looking forward to watching the football and swimming because they are two of my favourite sports.”

The Wey Valley Swimming Club member was helped by her mother to enter for a chance to be part of the once in a lifetime opportunity on the road to Paris 2024.

Briar said: “I thought it would be a good thing for Dora to experience being a mini mascot, meet some athletes and find out what they do in the build-up to the Olympics.

“We love watching all the different sports and seeing sports we haven’t seen before and the Olympics is the perfect chance to do that.”

As part of the kitting-out day at the Olympic Park, mascots were given the surprise opportunity to meet canoe slalom world champion and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Mallory Franklin.

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Franklin shared her experiences on the world stage with the budding young athletes and believes the Mini Mascot campaign can inspire a generation to get active.

“What I’ve learnt about myself and how much I’ve developed through being an athlete, I definitely want to give back and encourage kids to do that and support them on the journey if I can,” Franklin said.

“It’s amazing for them to be able to get an insight on what it is to be an Olympian and everything that goes with that.

“It’s a really exciting thing to be part of at their age as Team GB Mini Mascots.”

If you’d like to hear more about the Mini Mascots and follow their journey, head to https://www.teamgb.com/article/team-gb-announces-six-children-as-official-mini-mascots-for-paris-2024/68VUqFDbCdljGDTHcEuXpn