Burry Port youngster Santino Perrin is getting ready to represent Team GB as a Mini Mascot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

The nine-year-old will follow in the footsteps of South Wales Olympic swimmer Daniel Jervis, though he still has a few more years to wait until he reaches the heights of competing for a medal. 

The Llanelli Swimming Club member is one of six children selected to be a Team GB Mini Mascot, an extraordinary opportunity to be part of the action on Team GB’s journey to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

“I love playing sports, I’m never bored,” he said. “I’m really excited to be a Team GB Mini Mascot and I’m excited to watch the Olympics anyway so it feels good to be chosen. 

“The thing I’m most looking forward to next year is watching all the sports going on in Paris. 

“I love football and I also love swimming because of the competitions and making friends through it.” 

Perrin’s mother Alana, 39, saw the advertisement through a Facebook ad and could not let the opportunity go amiss for a chance to be there all the way on the road to the French capital.

“When he was selected, we were over the moon that he would have the opportunity to represent Team GB in this way," she said.

“We expect him to get access into finding out what it’s like to be a professional athlete and what goes into representing Britain in an Olympic team. 

“Hopefully he’ll get more awareness and knowledge of what the athletes are doing in the build-up.” 

As part of the kitting-out day at the Olympic Park, mascots were given a surprise opportunity to meet canoe slalom world champion and Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Mallory Franklin.

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Franklin shared her experiences on the world stage with the budding young athletes and believes the Mini Mascot campaign can inspire a generation to get active. 

“What I’ve learnt about myself and how much I’ve developed through being an athlete, I definitely want to give back and encourage kids to do that and support them on that journey if I can,” Franklin said. 

“It’s amazing for them to be able to get an insight on what it is to be an Olympian and everything that goes with it. 

“It’s a really exciting thing to be part of at their age as Team GB Mini Mascots.” 

If you’d like to hear more about the Mini Mascots and follow their journey, head to https://www.teamgb.com/article/team-gb-announces-six-children-as-official-mini-mascots-for-paris-2024/68VUqFDbCdljGDTHcEuXpn