THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Henley to hail the home-town heroes of the Olympic rowing team.

The most successful oarsmen and women in 100 years of the Olympics spent Saturday soaking up the sun and adulation of the townspeople.

The 15 members of Leander Club made up almost a third of the Beijing rowing squad and 13 of those won medals as the crews landed two golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

If it was a special day for the sporting stars, it was an even bigger occasion for the hundreds of children who met the rowers face-to-face.

The day kicked off at the River and Rowing Museum where the athletes and coaches mingled with invited guests before being welcomed by four-times Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent. He said: “To stand here a few weeks after the results of the Olympics and to realise they were the best in 100 years is a cause for huge celebration. We should take pride in what they have achieved.”

From there it was on to the river for a row-past. The moment the men’s four lowered their boat into the water, the sun shone through the mist to herald a glorious day. As the athletes, in mixed crews, made their way to Upper Thames Rowing Club and back to Leander Club they were followed by a flotilla of cruisers, skiffs, dragon boats and other craft.

Members of Henley Rowing Club and Upper Thames raised their blades in honour of the medallists, as did members of the Henley Whalers on board Molly. Union flags were draped from the Royal Regatta HQ and the bells of St Mary’s Church pealed all day.

The rowers changed at Leander Club before heading for an open-top bus for a parade through the town.

The Bodicote Royal British Legion Band led the bus as it took the rowers over the bridge, along Hart Street and into Bell Street before turning into New Street, along Riverside back into Hart Street and finally stopping in the market square.

The route was packed with people wanting to show their appeciation. Children stood on fathers’ shoulders, residents leaned out of their windows and some ran behind the bus.

The procession lasted half an hour as sightseers, many waving the 2,000 Union flags that had been handed out, applauded and cheered.

The Olympians, clearly overwhelmed by the response, waved back and recorded the scenes with video and stills cameras.

Pete Reed, gold medallist in the men’s four, said: “It’s really wonderful. The crowds were so much bigger than any of us thought they would be.”

Louisa Reeve didn’t win a medal in Beijing but enjoyed the celebration, saying: “It is brilliant. I couldn’t believe it when I saw so many people.”

Steve Rowbotham, bronze medallist in the men’s double scull, said: “This is kind of surreal. You have your expectations but to see so many people in the streets just to see us was amazing.” Zac Hunter, who won gold in the lightweight men’s double scull, added: “It was just fantastic to see them all out there... overwhelming.”

The spectators were equally appreciative. Hazel Parker, from Shiplake, said: “It was a fantastic day which really helped to lift all the gloom and doom which seems to be around the town. All the rowers were fantastic but a special mention to Steve Williams. He had so much time for everybody and was a real gentleman.”

Sam Riley, of Luker Avenue, Henley, who was with her six-year-old son, Max, said: “There was a real feel-good factor. Max and his friends were waving to all the rowers and having a great time. It was lovely.”

Emily Cameron, of Aston, said: “The town really came alive — I have never seen it so busy. All the rowers have done brilliantly well and deserve all the plaudits they get.”

Mel Spiers, of Farm Road, Henley, said: “It was very emotional and absolutely brilliant to see the town coming together. My eight-year-old son Jack, said he wants to be on the bus in a few years, so it obviously inspired him.”

When the rowers arrived in the square, it was packed with the children and Mayor Gill Zakss paid tribute. She said: “Today we are celebrating and saying how proud we are of our Henley Leander Olympic rowers. “Henley is a small town of 10,500 people and yet 15 of the 43 rowers who were selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympics in Beijing this summer came from our town.

“This week I have had the privilege to visit all seven schools in Henley with two of our Olympians, Alex Partridge and Louisa Reeves. What a wonderful reception we had from all you children and teachers. “And what a lot we have learnt about rowing and what dedication and commitment it takes to be an Olympic rower. You train three times a day, seven days a week for four years. You row, you eat, you sleep. There is not much time left for family and friends.

“Then, after four years, if you are lucky, you might win an Olympic medal. Olympians, you are an inspiration to us all. You are showing us that anything is possible if you are dedicated, focused and hard-working.”

After proposing three cheers, the Mayor handed the microphone to Leander Club captain Steve Williams, who won gold in the men’s coxless four.

He thanked people for their support and said: “This is incredible. We have all enjoyed this moment and will never forget it for the rest of our lives.”

Then the athletes hurled pink toy hippos, the symbol of Leander Club, to the children before getting off the bus and spending 15 minutes chatting to fans and signing autographs.

Overhead a light aircraft trailed a banner which read: “Henley salutes its Olympians.”

The rowers passed through an arch of oars on the town hall steps and were introduced individually to the crowd before attending a reception inside.

For 90 minutes they chatted with children and other invited guests, signed autographs and handed out replica Olympic medals made from chocolate. Many of the youngsters had the chance to feel the weight of an Olympic medal around their necks.

Williams presented the Mayor with a framed, autographed poster of he rowing squad before the party made its way back to the bus to return to Leander Club, where they met members and guests. for two hours.

The other rowing clubs represented were Molesey, the Army, Oxford, Oxford Bookes and Reading Universities, University of London Tyrian, Marlow and Thames.

Jurgen Grobler, who has coached an Olympic crew to gold every Games since 1976, said: “Coming to Henley like this is so special. Everyone knows the town for its rowers and it is wonderful to have the Henley and clubs come out to greet the Olympic team.

“Nowhere else in the world will you see such a small town with so many medals. Rowing and Henley go together and they always will.”

The last words belonged to Williams: “It is a day we shall never forget. Henley is our home and we are proud to call it that.”

To view the video of the rowers reactions CLICK HERE

View more photographs


Published on 17 October 2008