Last weekend, Karen went to Rio for the Olympics in her capacity as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Karen said:
"As Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, I have a duty to support our amazing sports men and women, including Staffordshire's two gold medallists, Adam Peaty and Joe Clarke – I know that is a duty everyone would love to have. It’s made all the better because Staffordshire truly is in a league of its own, as a quick look at the medal table shows that if it were competing our county would be ranked 21st out of 207 countries!
Being in Rio, I have been privileged to watch some amazing sporting achievements – including Jason Kenny and Laura Trott winning gold in the cycling, the incomparable Usain Bolt win the 100m and 16 year old Amy Tinkler scoop bronze in gymnastics (two weeks before she receives her GCSE results). Despite their very different personalities, all these champions have three things in common: determination, dedication and a can-do attitude. Watching them can leave no one in any doubt about what we can achieve if we really set our minds something. These athletes are fantastic role models for our young people, and I am very hopeful that thanks to their efforts this summer, more children up and down the country will take up sport.
As well as supporting Team GB, I have been meeting Brazilian officials, including at an event to boost British exports and build business relationships between our two countries so the games have brought people together in other ways. Trade and business are of course important but the most important thing this week has been the wonderful example that all the athletes have set and the joy they have brought to all of us mere mortals watching."