THE countdown to this summer's 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is well and truly underway - and once again judoka Lucy Renshall will be flying the flag for St Helens.

The 28-year-old from Eccleston is one of a five-strong Team GB judo squad - and her big day in the -63kg category comes on 30 July. 

It will be Renshall's second Olympic Games - but the first time she will be able to enjoy the full experience after competing in Tokyo in the Covid-delayed event of three years ago.

Renshall, who trains at the British Judo Centre of Excellence in Walsall, collected the Sportsperson of the Year title in December's Pride of St Helens Awards.

Renshall, who started the sport as an eight-year-old with the SKK Judo Club in Earlestown, is a four-time British Champion, a European Championship bronze medallist and six-time Grand Slam Champion.

British Judo performance director Nigel Donohue said: “We are confident that we have a team that can compete with the best in the world, and we look forward to representing Team GB and contributing to the team’s success at these Games.

“Importantly, a huge thank you to the fighters’ personal coaches, who without them, we would not have the privilege of working with such fighters at this level.

“Our success - British Judo’s success at these Games - will be enjoyed by all who have massively contributed to developing fighters in the performance system and preparing them for the ultimate event in our fantastic sport. We are ready for Paris 2024.”

The Olympic judo competition will take place between July 27 and August 3 at the Arena Champ-de-Mars, with the -63kg category preliminary rounds and finals taking place on 30 July.