Inspiring athletes to go for gold
This year we've been celebrating our Winning Landscapes which have inspired runners, rowers, sailors, cyclists and many other athletes past and present to win Olympic medals or achieve record-breaking success.
Find out which parks inspired athletes to win London 2012 gold medals below - and discover more athletes inspired by National Parks on the pages to the left
What activity will you be inspired to try?
Whether you're training for a triathlon or you just want a family-friendly activity, we're sure you'll enjoy our world-class great outdoors.
- We have activities and events for all ages and abilities - see our access for all activities
- There are many more activities you can try in our National parks - from canoeing to cycling, hiking to horse riding - see a full list and links
You never know, a hobby could turn into a passion for sport that sees you on the Olympic podium one day like the athletes below.
Were these athletes inspired by National Parks?
Athletics: Jessica Ennis - from Sheffield, on the edge of the Peak District National Park
Jessica's home town marked her heptathlon gold with a parade and a golden postbox in the city centre
Sailing: Ben Ainslie - based in Lymington, New Forest National Park
Ben won his fourth sailing gold medal at London 2012 (he's also a 10-time World Champion and nine-time European Champion)
Rowing: Andrew Triggs Hodge - from Wharfedale, Yorkshire Dales National Park
Andrew was one of the four oarsome oarsmen who won gold for Team GB in the men's coxless fours (his second gold - he also won in Beijing)
Tennis: Andy Murray - from Dunblane, on the edge of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Andy's gold medal singles win over Roger Federer is marked by a golden postbox in Dunblane
Rowing: Katherine Copeland - from Stockton-on-Tees a stone's throw from the North York Moors National Park
Katherine won gold in the lightweight double sculls - a feat now marked by a golden postbox in Ingleby Barwick
Running: Sebastien Coe - brought up in Sheffield, trained in the Peak District National Park, Lord Coe won Olympic gold medals in Moscow (1980) and Los Angeles (1984) before going into politics then becoming the London 2012 Games organiser
Want to know more?
- Find out where our Team GB medal-winners are from: see the map and article
- Read about the golden postboxes marking the home towns of winning athletes
