Waipā Olympians and Paralympians who trained tirelessly, sacrificed so much and showed extraordinary courage, grit and determination were honoured in Cambridge last week.
Namesakes: Phoebe Spoors puts the bronze she won at Paris around the neck of Phoebe Kendall, 3, who told The News she was going to compete in the jumping up and down on the spot event when she is eligible. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Not all of the athletes could make it – the nature of their sports these days means they could be anywhere in the world at any time – but the ones who were there provided several highlights for the crowd of mostly children.
Gold medallists Ellesse Andrews, Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors joined other medal winners and competitors from the Paris OIympic and Paralympic Games.
Cambridge Middle School’s kapa haka group provided a haka to welcome them to Victoria Square following an earlier private function hosted by Waipā District Council.
It’s mine! Sienna French, 2 1/2 – who attended the Olympics in France with her mother, Olympic marathoner Camille (nee Buscombe) – runs away with Ellesse Andrews’ silver medal during the celebration. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Cambridge-based driver Craig Matthews with Waikato Regional Council’s Customer Focus team leader Sandra Sesto-Dekic and the new electric double-decker bus. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Mayor Susan O’Regan greeted the athletes saying the celebration was about recognising their extraordinary achievements.
“We’re incredibly proud to honour them,” she said.
“We’re not just celebrating their achievements; we’re actually celebrating who they are as people and what that represents for all of us.”
Cambridge Middle School kapa haka provided the welcome to the Olympians and Paralympians. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
She also acknowledged the dedication of so many “unsung heroes” – the parents, coaches, clubs, volunteers and sponsors.
“You are the people who make sure that every athlete has the opportunity to survive and thrive.”
The athletes responded to questions provided by residents with the haka provided by others in the New Zealand team the highlight for most. Watching the Black Ferns win gold provided emotion and inspiration, said others.
Paralympian Devon Briggs, who competed with a dislocated tailbone and dislocated sacrum, spoke of the bakery in the athletes’ village where they could get fresh bread and fruit every day, including croissants.
Tug of war at the Olympians – Paralympians celebration. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Athletes then took on children in a few tug of war competitions with Waipā kids showing there are plenty of champions in their midst by easily beating the Paris competitors.
Tug of war at the Olympians – Paralympians celebration. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
And more entertainment from Cambridge Middle School wrapped up the celebration. Crowd estimates put the numbers who attended at fewer than 500.
Waipā connections at the Olympics were: Ellesse Andrews, Bryony Botha, Max Brown, Sam Dakin, Brooke Francis, Camille French, Sam Gaze, Jackie Kiddle, Robbie Manson, Jordan Parry, Tori Peeters, Rebecca Petch, Lucy Spoors, Phoebe Spoors, Corbin Strong, Emma Twigg, Leila Walker, Micah Wilkinson, Ally Wollaston. Paralympics: Danielle Aitchison, Devon Briggs, Nicole Murray, Anna Taylor.
Cambridge Middle School kapa haka provided the welcome to the Olympians and Paralympians and then entertained the crowd with this rousing haka. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Cambridge Middle School kapa haka provided the welcome to the Olympians and Paralympians and then entertained the crowd with this rousing haka. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
