OLYMPIC heroes from Rugby are to be presented with the Freedom of the Borough.
Lauren Henry, Kimberley Woods and Chelsie Giles – fresh from representing Team GB at the Olympic Games in Paris – will be rewarded with Rugby Borough Council’s highest civic honour, followed by a civic reception, to celebrate their achievements.
The motion is due to be agreed by Rugby Borough Council (RBC) at a meeting today (Wednesday September 25).
The council will also grant the same honour to all future Rugby Olympic and Paralympic medallists.
Rugby-born rower Lauren Henry 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 22-year-old former Rugby High School pupil on the top step of the podium at her first Olympic Games.
Kimberley Woods, 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.
Wolston-based judoka Chelsie Giles 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 27-year-old’s achievements as a double Rugby Olympian.
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 Lauren, Kimberley and Chelsie 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 three of our Olympians have helped to inspire a future generation to dream the Olympic dream.”
The date for the Freedom of the Borough ceremony and civic reception has yet to be confirmed.
Coun Neil Sandison, the council’s Liberal Democrat spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, added: “These wonderful athletes demonstrate the diversity of the borough and are a real credit to Rugby.
“Lauren, Kimberley and Chelsie’s dedication to their chosen sports deserves all the recognition the honour of Freedom of the Borough bestows.”
