AN OLYMPIC hero from Lutterworth has been granted the Freedom of Harborough District for her amazing sporting achievement.
Lauren Henry received the honour for winning a gold medal for Team GB in the women’s quadruple sculls rowing event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Her mum Nicola Henry and auntie Mandy Jesson accepted the honorary scroll on Lauren’s behalf at Harborough District Council’s annual meeting.
Lauren Henry’s mum and auntie receiving her Freedom of the District honorary scroll from Coun Peter Elliott, Chairman of Harborough District Council. Picture by Andrew Carpenter @Carps23
The Freedom of the District is the highest honour the council can bestow and is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and have a strong association with the district.
Lauren, 23, said: “I just want to say a massive thank you. It is both an honour and privilege to receive the Freedom of the District and I am truly humbled.
“I would like to say thank you to my family, especially my parents, for being so unbelievably supportive and allowing me to pursue my dreams. They didn’t know that I would end up winning an Olympic gold when I started rowing, but nonetheless they supported me wholeheartedly to do what I loved.
“I would also like to thank my coaches for their encouragement, enthusiasm and support through all the hard training, the good and the bad.
“I feel very proud that I get to represent the area and that I am still able to race for Leicester Rowing Club where possible.
“I am very excited to be taking on a new chapter in my rowing career and racing in the single scull. It has been a dream of mine for many years.”
Council leader Coun Phil Knowles said it was very rare for the award to be made – evidence of the high esteem in which the council holds Lauren.
He added: “Lauren is a wonderful ambassador for Harborough district, much loved and highly respected. She is a role model for everyone and we are so proud of everything Lauren has done and will continue to do.”
Rugby-born rower Lauren starred in one of the most dramatic moments of the Paris games when her crew edged out the Netherlands in the final stroke of the race to win gold by just 0.15 seconds, putting the former Rugby High School pupil on the top of the podium at her first Olympics.
Lauren took up rowing at the age of 13 at Leicester Rowing Club. At 22, she became the youngest rower on Team GB in Paris – and now she plans to conquer her chosen sport.
Following her triumph last year, Lauren told the Observer: “My goal is to be the most successful female rower ever from Great Britain.
“The real greats don’t just stick with one gold, they get multiple, so that’s my aim.”
She was presented with Rugby’s Freedom of the Borough certificate in March.
Lauren is set to compete in the European Rowing Championships in Bulgaria this weekend.
