A VETERAN THURROCK councillor has called for Olympic medallists to not charge for their services when they come to the borough.
Independent East Tilbury councillor, John Purkiss made the call at a recent full council meeting as part of the discussion into the olympic legacy.
Cllr Purkiss said: “My son’s school (his son is a PE teacher) recently had an sports awards evening. They wanted to get an Olympian but they proved too expensive.
“I think they should come to the borough for free.”
The matter of “Olympian fees” was debated on Radio 5 on Monday morning. Olympic gold medallist for shooting, Peter Wilson told the show that he was charging upwards of £10,000 for appearances.
Even Olympic stars fromm 30 years ago, can charge nearly £2,000.
Retired deputy headteacher at William Edwards, Ralph Henderson has been instrumental in bringing many olympic stars to the borough.
He told YT: “The stars have to eat. There are occasions when they will do something for free but on other occasions they charge.
“It is a fragile economy for them. Even European athletics champs from this year, who didn’t get to the olympic final have found their lottery money taken away.
Quiet agree, but athletes, sportsmen in general like you councillor don’t do anything for nothing anymore.
Independent, huh. Votes conservative every time down at the council.
Unfortunately we live in a world where freebies are no longer common place, an Athlete has to earn a living so charging for public events is just their way of getting something back for their time.