Meet the athletes representing Essex at Tokyo 2020
Seven from our county are taking part in the Olympic Games
Seven athletes from across Essex will be heading out for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics later.
They include Colchester's Laura Stephens competing in the swimming and shooter Matthew Coward-Holley from Chelmsford.
James Gall
Brentwood
James is part of the men's hockey team.
Daniel Rowden
Buckhurst Hill
Daniel, who is 23, is part of the athletics team.
He's taking part in the 800m.
Matthew Coward-Holley
Chelmsford
After claiming a double trap bronze medal at the 2016 European Championships, Matt Coward-Holley has gone from strength to strength after making the transition to single trap in 2017 when the former discipline was removed from the upcoming Olympic Games.
A silver medal soon after he made the switch at the Portugal Grand Prix proved how much quality the Chelmsford-born shooter possesses, before having a year to remember in 2019.
He won silver at the World Cup event in Korea in May, before becoming the first Brit to win a world title in an individual Olympic shotgun discipline with trap gold at the World Championships in Lonato, Italy.
Coward-Holley had stopped shooting at the age of 12 to take up rugby, which he played for several years to a relatively high level, but returned to shooting aged 16 after suffering a rugby injury and will be making his Olympic debut in Tokyo.
Laura Stephens
Colchester
Speaking about her selection, swimmer Laura Stephens said:
"It feels absolutely incredible and a bit overwhelming, part of it hasn't quite sunk in yet and I don't think it will until I'm literally on the plane going.
"Every time that I have represented this country, it's always been such a big honour, but to do it on the biggest stage that our sport has is a real honour and such a privilege.
"I feel incredibly lucky. I've had the best support staff that I could have around me, my family and friends have been there for me since day one, they have believed in me, and that is the meaning behind being able to put that kit on and say 'I'm an Olympian for Team GB'."
Ben Maher
Elsenham
Ben won gold in showjumping at London 2012, with this being his fourth Olympic Games.
Beth Shriever
Fingingfield
When Beth Shriever was asked what drives her to compete, she responded with ‘the Olympics’.
Shriever’s journey to Tokyo 2020 began at just nine-years-old, when she was invited down to Braintree BMX club.
And the rest is history.
Winning the world junior BMX championships in 2017, Shriever moved into the senior ranks, with her eyes firmly set upon the Olympic games.
Following UK Sport's review into funding after Rio 2016, Shriever was uncertain that she would be able to achieve her dream. But now with her selection confirmed, she harbours gold medal ambitions.
And alongside her dream of becoming an Olympic champion, the 22-year-old hopes to be a role model to young female BMX riders all over the UK.
Jess Judd
Rochford
Jess is part of the athletics squad, competing in the 5,000m and 10,000m.
New sports at the Olympics
Skateboarding
There will be two events for skateboarding at the Tokyo games - Park and Street.
Karate
Karate has been added to the list of sports at this year's Olympics
Sport climbing
Climbing will be a sport at the Tokyo games, it will combine speed climbing, bouldering and lead climbing.
Surfing
Surfing is another sport making a debut at the Olympics this year, with competitors heading to Shidshita beach to compete
Baseball
Technically baseball isn't brand new to the Olympics, but it's the first time it's been included since Beijing games in 2008