Freedom of the Borough for Coleraine Olympians
Fri, November 11, 2016
Three Olympians from Coleraine will become the first people granted the Freedom of the Borough by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
The honour will be given to brothers Richard and Peter Chambers and Alan Campbell.
Members met to discuss the issue at a special Council meeting last night.
The decision follows a motion put forward by Councillor William McCandless of the Ulster Unionist Party.
The trio are all former pupils of Coleraine Academical Institution and were members of the famed Bann Rowing Club.
Alan Campbell is the only sportsperson from Northern Ireland to have competed at four Olympic Games. Last week he was chosen as the first inductee into the Hall of Fame at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Sports Awards.
Richard Chambers has competed in three Olympic Games while Peter has competed in two.
Alan was GB’s first single scull rower to win an Olympic medal for 84 years when he lifted the bronze in 2012.
Richard and Peter won a silver in the same year, as part of the lightweight men’s four.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “The Freedom of the Borough is the highest accolade that Council can make to a group or individual. Richard, Peter and Alan are wonderful ambassadors for the area and as a Council we are delighted that they will be the first recipients of this honour. We are all proud of what they have achieved and the decision to grant the Freedom of the Borough reflects our admiration for them.”
Richard Chambers, Alan Campbell and Peter Chambers are to receive the Freedom of the Borough from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.