OLYMPIC heroes from Rugby have been presented with the Freedom of the Borough.
Lauren Henry and Kimberley Woods – both members of Team GB at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris – have been rewarded with Rugby Borough Council’s highest civic honour, followed by a civic reception, to celebrate their achievements.
Mayor Simon Ward presents Olympic gold medallist Lauren Henry with the Freedom of the Borough.
Rugby-born rower Lauren starred in one of the most dramatic moments of the Paris games when she struck gold in the women’s quadruple sculls with crewmates Georgie Brayshaw, Lola Anderson and Hannah Scott.
The Team GB crew edged out the Netherlands in the final stroke of the race at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium to win gold by just 0.15 seconds, putting the then-22-year-old former Rugby High School pupil on the top step of the podium at her first Olympic Games.
Kimberley, the reigning Rugby Sportswoman of the Year, came away from the French capital with a brace of bronze medals after finishing third in both the women’s kayak single and kayak cross finals.
The 29-year-old, an ambassador for Rugby Canoe Club, has proved an inspiration both in and out of the boat, speaking candidly about her depression in a bid to encourage others to talk about mental health.
Coun Maggie O’Rourke, the council’s partnerships and wellbeing spokesperson, said the Freedom of the Borough was the highest civic honour awarded by the borough council, recognising outstanding achievements or significant contributions to the community.
She said: “Our Olympians represented Team GB on the biggest sporting stage in the world and we’re all truly proud they call the borough ‘home’.
“The hard work, dedication and talent it takes to compete with the sporting elite can never be underestimated, and I’m sure all of our Olympians have helped to inspire a future generation to dream the Olympic dream.”
Warwickshire Police’s Specials Chief Inspector Debbie Murray takes a closer look at Kimberley Woods’ brace of bronze medal from the Olympic Games in Paris.
Her Liberal Democrat counterpart Coun Neil Sandison added: “These wonderful athletes demonstrate the diversity of the borough and are a real credit to Rugby.
“Their dedication to their chosen sports deserves all the recognition the honour of Freedom of the Borough bestows.”
Wolston-based judoka Chelsie Giles is also in line for the honour – but was unable to attend alongside Lauren and Kimberley as she was in a training camp in Japan at the time of the ceremony.
Chelsie headed to Paris with hopes of matching or bettering the bronze medal she won in the -52kg judo class at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
And while the former world number one tasted defeat in her first bout at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars, the Freedom of the Borough recognises the 28-year-old’s achievements as a double Rugby Olympian.
Her presentation will be arranged when her schedule allows.
The council will also grant the same honour to all future Rugby Olympic and Paralympic medallists.
