Call for statue in honour of rowers

Published Monday, 06 August 2012
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Coleraine could be about to immortalise its trio of Olympic rowing medallists with a special statue in their honour.

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Last week the town watched enthralled as local rowers the Chambers brothers thrillingly won silver and Alan Campbell heroically clinched bronze at the London Games.

As preparations continue for a special homecoming next week, the Mayor says a statue would be a fitting tribute to their Olympian efforts.

"We're going to throwing a good party for them," Sam Cole told UTV.

"It will be the party of all parties - we're going to take advantage of this historic occasion."

A statue of legendary Coleraine and Northern Ireland footballer Bertie Peacock already stands proudly in town centre.

But the suggestion that the latest local heroes should join him hasn't caused a row.

One man told UTV: "I think it would be magic!

"We've got one over there to the soccer player, we've one to the Dunlops in Balymoney and Ballymena so it would be great."

A woman said: "Yeah, I think it would be wonderful, they deserve it." Another added: "But who's going to pay for it?"

And another man said: "They're done the town absolutely proud, they really have - they've been amazing all three of them."

Portrush has put up signs to mark it as the birthplace of golfer Graeme McDowell, celebrating his triumph in the 2010 US Open.

Stephen Smith from Bann Rowing Club, where the medallists are members, says a statue would help Coleraine to mark its position on the world's rowing map.

"These guys are legends," Stephen beamed. "If we had a beautiful bronze statue of big Alan, Peter and Richard here in the Diamond in Coleraine, alongside our golfing superstars and Bertie Peacock, we have a great tourism attraction.

"The people who go to the Giant's Causeway will then come to Coleraine to see these Olympian heroes."

© UTV News
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4 Comments
Conor in west belfast wrote (289 days ago):
a statue for silver and bronze?!!!!!!!!!!!!! if they had won gold, yes, but not for silver and bronze.
frank in Belfast wrote (290 days ago):
Am i the only one who thinks we are far too quick to commemorate achievements of our local sport stars? I am not detracting from the medalists achievements, but to seriously erect a statue..... If Olympic fever wasn't at its height this would NEVER have been considered or proposed.
Mr Bolt in Jamaica wrote (290 days ago):
Are they serious? A statue to people who came second? Or as Gold medalists call them - "losers".
Ryan in Belfast wrote (291 days ago):
Honestly, a STATUE? Ok, if it was a gold medal they won, maybe i could understand the call for a statue for that but for a SILVER and BRONZE. Come on....everyone knows only the Gold is worth winning at the Olympics.
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