The spectator stands at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games may be empty but Dartford is roaring on its latest generation of athletes from home.

It's been 20 years in the making for Europa Weightlifting Club in Temple Hill which has coached and mentored many great lifters.

Head coach and former Olympian Andrew Callard is leading out a team of three women weightlifters at the Games this week.

After setting up the training facility in his home town in 2001, he has produced various international level athletes, including England’s first ever female weightlifting medalist at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

At the most recent Commonwealth Games in 2018, five out of six English weightlifters were from Europa and his dedication to the sport saw him awarded in the Queen's Honours List in 2019.

On Tuesday, he led out Olympians Zoe Smith and Sarah Davies, who both trained at the Dartford facility, finishing eighth and fifth in the women's 59kg and 64kg categories respectively.

Another of his understudies, Emily Muskett, from Farnborough near Bromley, will step up to the 76kg category on Sunday at around 5.50am UK time.

Speaking to British Weightlifting ahead of her event on Tuesday earlier this week, Sarah Davies said: "It actually makes me a little bit emotional thinking about people watching me at the Olympics and supporting me.

"But you know it does mean the world, especially such a strange games, not having crowds or loved ones being able to travel and come and watch.

"Just thank you from the bottom of my heart for every single person that's been a part of the journey."

Also set to represent his home town is British sprinter and former Dartford Grammar and Wentworth Primary pupil Adam Gemili.

The 27-year-old will appear at his third Olympics when he takes to the track in the 200m and 4x100m relay team.

He has won a host of medals across other competitions including two European Championship golds in the 4x100m relay in 2014 and 2015 and at the World Championships in 2017.

Adam will be hoping to reach the podium after his fourth place finish in the 200m at Rio 2016.

The heats for the 200m will commence from 3am on Tuesday August 3 with the semi-finals taking place from 12.50pm the same day.

If Adam gets through to the final it will take place on Wednesday at 1.55pm.

Meanwhile, the opening round for the 4x100m relay will start from 3.30am on Thursday August 5 with the final the next day at 2.50pm.

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite sent a message of support to local athletes taking part.

He said: “We are incredibly proud to once again see competitors from local families competing at the Olympic Games and it’s also great to see how sports clubs in and around Dartford have been instrumental in helping so many athletes learn, train and prepare for elite sport. We are so proud of them all.

“I know everyone in the borough will be cheering Adam, Zoe, Sarah and Emily on as they compete at the very top level in Tokyo and wishing them the very best for medals.”

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