Queens County gears up to cheer on Sarah Mitton at Paris Olympics with Astor watch party

The Astor Theatre is holding a watch party next Friday, Aug. 9 for the shot put final of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Brooklyn’s Sarah Mitton is seen during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Photo by Mark Blinch/COC)

Sarah Mitton’s hometown fans are getting ready to cheer on the Brooklyn native as she goes for shot put gold in Paris.

The Region of Queens compiled a “Cheers from Home” video featuring community members rooting for her. And, the Astor Theatre has organized a watch party for the shot put final on Fri., Aug. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. so that people can get together and root for the pride of Queens County.

The watch party is free for everyone.

Jerri Southcott, the Astor’s executive director, said the theatre held a similar viewing party for the Euro Cup.

“And we had a lot of people reach out to us in the commnity about ‘Could we all get together and cheer on our hometown hero?’ So we thought this would be a great opportunity to cheer on Sarah Mitton, really proud as a community to get behind her.”

READ MORE: QCCR’s coverage of Sarah Mitton

Mitton will be competing in the qualification round the day before. The shot put final is set to begin on Friday at 2:37 p.m.

Mitton is the reigning world indoor champion and Canadian record holder. She also holds the title as throwing the best distance so far this year at 20.68 metres.

She captured the gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championship in March, where she beat her own Canadian record, twice. She beat it again two months later at a meet in Pennsylvania.

Southcott says she’s excited to have the community cheer on Mitton at the Astor.

“We’ll have concessions open and we’ll get the community together. I think everybody is going to be on the edge of their seats. Some of us, me included, will be the first time watching shot put, so that’s interesting. Really, really proud of her.”

And to help get ready for the watch party at the Astor, you can pick up a signed copy of a Sarah Mitton print from Queens Place Emera Centre.

Queens Place is selling a limited number of the autographed prints for $10 each. Proceeds will go to the Region of Queens Recreation for All program, which helps those in lower incomes participate in the municipality’s fitness facilities and programs.

Southcott is expecting a good turnout next Friday.

“We had a number of people reach out and say, ‘Wow, what a great idea.’ And really hoping to see a good strong support in the community to come out and cheer her on. It’s nice to be together.”

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com