It is official - Yorkshire’s most decorated Olympic athlete is from Huddersfield.

Yorkshire may have ranked twelfth on the leaderboard at London 2012, but thanks to Ed Clancy, Huddersfield alone landed in the top 50 after the Examiner's Olympic medal count.

The track cyclist brought home a gold and a bronze from the London games.

His efforts ranked Huddersfield in joint 49th place on the medals table alongside Latvia, as our town beat Belgium, Portugal and even original Olympians Greece.

And having also won a gold in Beijing in 2008, Ed’s tally is the biggest of any Olympic medallist from the county, including Sheffield’s golden girl Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Jessica Ennis-Hill wins the gold in the women's heptathalon at London 2012
Jessica Ennis-Hill wins the gold in the women's heptathalon at London 2012

Huddersfield is no stranger to the gold, with Anita Lonsbrough swimming her way to glory in Rome in 1960.

Meanwhile equestrian John Whitaker has taken silver, and Almondbury runner Derek Ibbotson took a bronze in Melbourne in 1956.

So is there something in the water?

We’ve come up with a list of five reasons why Huddersfield athletes do so well.

1. We know true Yorkshire grit

Yorkshire flag
Yorkshire flag

If you’re looking for an example of the county’s trademark characteristic, look no further.

Our no-nonsense, get on with the job attitude is engrained in us from an early age.

It’s the perfect recipe for any budding sports star when perservering.

It’s not just something something you need in the middle of a race, but an essential trait when you need to get up at 5am on a Sunday to train.

2. We’re used to running up that hill

Tour de France. Holme Moss climb.

Huddersfield has to be one of the hilliest towns in the country.

The various valleys, surrounding countryside and steep inclines of Holme Moss and Castle Hill are the perfect training grounds for runners and cyclists.

And is it any wonder Ed Clancy has thighs of steel, when even a walk from the bus station to Greenhead Park is enough to increase your lung capacity?

Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Ed Clancy.

3. We love our fields

There’s no disputing the abundance of green land in Huddersfield - the town’s name is a massive clue.

For a town with its own University and a population of 146,000, we have an incredible amount of space to stretch our legs and take on those afore mentioned hills.

Castle Hill at sunset from Flockton Moor

You only need to travel for ten minutes out of the centre before you’re surrounded by greenery, compared to some of Yorkshire’s bigger cities where the country is a little more of a trek for urban dwellers.

Living here means having the opportunity to roam free, take in the outdoors and walk a mile without seeing any buildings. Perfect for sports people and horse riders.

4. We’re cycling mad

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Everyone in Huddersfield knows a keen cyclist.

Even before the Tour de France rode through town and took on Holme Moss, the valleys were awash with lycra-clad enthusiasts.

Growing up, weekends were when your dad disappeared with his mate Big Kev for a ride up Saddleworth Moor.

And with dozens of cycling clubs and the Tour’s memory still here in form of yellow painted bikes outside pubs, we’ll never stop pedalling.

5. Hello, don’t forget Rugby League!

The League started right here, and ever since we’ve been a major town for the game.

If you grew up watching the Giants, chances are that bulky physique has been something you’ve tried to emulate.

Here’s to being strong, fit, champions and proud to be from Huddersfield!