THE SMALL town of Coleraine, Co Derry, went into celebration overdrive yesterday as it prepared to welcome back three Olympic medallists from the London games.
Alan Campbell (29) completed the hat-trick yesterday when he won bronze in the men’s single sculls rowing at Eton Dorney in Windsor.
On Thursday, brothers Peter (22) and Richard Chambers (27) picked up silver medals in the men’s lightweight fours.
All three Olympians began their sporting careers at Bann Rowing Club, where emotions were running high.
“We are bursting with pride,” said club vice-captain Stephen Smyth. “Big Alan has won the biggest race of his life by putting in the best race of his life.
“Nobody deserves it more. He’s a tremendous ambassador for rowing and a tremendous ambassador for this part of the country.
“It was Alan who kicked off this tidal wave of Olympic competition. He went to Athens eight years ago, then four years ago he and Richard Chambers went to Beijing.
“Now the pair of them along with Peter Chambers have gone to London and all three of them will be coming back with medals. This is a small rowing club and a small town, so our pride knows no bounds. We couldn’t be more delighted for them.”
Hundreds gathered yesterday in the torrential rain to watch Campbell’s race on a big screen outside Coleraine town hall.
Damien Murray, sports editor of the local Coleraine Chronicle, was among the crowd.
“Everyone is soaked, but everyone is delighted,” he said. “It was such an exciting race, and for the people who know the nature of the single sculls, it made it even more nail-biting, as the battle for the bronze was so close.
“When Alan passed that line, there was a massive cheer and massive relief. Everyone was rooting for Alan as this was his third Olympics and his big chance to win a medal. No one wanted him to come back again empty-handed, especially when his good friends the Chambers brothers are coming back as Olympic heroes.”
At Eton Dorney, Alan Campbell’s mother, school principal Jenny Campbell, said she “screamed the whole way” through the race in an effort to will on her son.
“I did think he had it in him, because he felt confident that he could get a medal this time,” she said. “It was a gutsy, gutsy performance. He was up against the big guns and now he’s one of the big guns.”
Meanwhile, Gillian Chambers was adjusting to being a mother to not one, but two Olympic medallists.
“We still can’t believe it,” she laughed. “They did fantastically well. My daughter Becky is getting married next month, so she will have two silver medallists as her ushers! We’re all exhausted right now, but we’re looking forward to enjoying the rest of the games.”
Tara Cunningham of Coleraine Borough Council confirmed an official homecoming would take place for all three Olympians.