Athletes honoured for efforts (From Oxford Mail)

Athletes honoured for efforts

6:57pm Tuesday 25th November 2008 in

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Oxfordshire’s Olympians and Paralympians were tonight recognised for their inspirational performances at this year’s Beijing Olympics.

A dozen of the county’s top sportsmen and women were invited to Oxford Town Hall to receive Certificates of Honour from Oxford’s Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel and the first man to break the four-minute-mile barrier, Sir Roger Bannister, who achieved the mark in Oxford in May 1954.

Gold medallist Pete Reed, who was a member of the rowing crew who won the men’s coxless fours event, was joined at the event by fellow rower Fran Houghton, who won a silver medal in the women’s quadruple scull.

Their rowing team-mates Acer Nethercott and Josh West, who both won silver medals in the men’s eight contest, were also invited to the event.

Also on the guest list were Carla Ashford and Sarah Winckless who were in the Great Britain crew which finished fifth in the women’s eights, and Helen Casey, who finished fifth in the women’s double sculls.

Richard Chambers and Paul Mattick, part of the crew which finished fifth in the men’s fours made up the rest of the Olympic contingent.

Swimmer Danielle Watts, archer Kathy Critchlow-Smith and wheelchair rugby player Justin Frishberg represented the Great Britain Paralympic team, which finished second in the medals table, behind hosts China.

Tony Crabbe, the chairman of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “These Olympians and Paralympians give inspiration to all the young people in the county to take part in sport.

“Hopefully, some of them will go on and maybe take part in the 2012 Olympics. Beijing was really very good. I think we did extremely well.

“I’m very proud of what our team did this year.”