Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Obituaries
  • About
    • Advertise
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Olympic heroes could be given Freedom of Caerphilly County Borough

News, Sport | Rhys Williams | Published: 09:55, Thursday September 16th, 2021.
Last updated: 09:55, Thursday September 16th, 2021
Olympians Lauren Price, left, and Lauren Williams have been inducted into a Sports Wall of Fame in Ystrad Mynach
Olympians Lauren Price, left, and Lauren Williams have been inducted into a Sports Wall of Fame in Ystrad Mynach

Olympians Lauren Price and Lauren Williams could be given the Freedom of Caerphilly County Borough following their successes at the Tokyo Olympics.

Boxer Price, from Ystrad Mynach, won gold in Japan, while taekwondo’s Williams, from Blackwood, clinched silver.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet has now unanimously approved a report recommending the duo are given further reward for their achievement.

Earlier this month, both Price, 27, and Williams, 22, were inducted onto a new Sports Wall of Fame at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach before being paraded through their home towns in an open-top car while residents lined the streets to give them a heroes’ welcome.

Councillor Philippa Marsden, leader of the council, said: “It is vital that we formally recognise the fantastic achievements of these women.

“They have competed at the highest level and brought home medals, making everyone in Team Caerphilly burst with pride. That was clear to see when hundreds of people lined the streets to clap and cheer during the recent homecoming event.

“The Freedom is the highest honour we as an authority can bestow and the formal decision will be made following a presentation to full council in the coming weeks.”

Warm reception for Olympic heroes at open-top car parade

How our Olympic heroes won their medals

Lauren Williams with her silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics
Lauren Williams with her silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics

Taekwondo star Lauren Williams was the first of the two Olympians to earn their medals during the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The 22-year-old reached the final of the women’s -67kg women’s final, but fell short to Croatia’s Matea Jelic, narrowly losing 25-22 despite holding a lead into the dying moments of the contest.

The competition was held in Chiba, near Tokyo on Monday, July 26.

En route to the final, Williams beat Tonga’s Malia Paseka 11-0 in the last 16, before edging Hedaya Malak, of Egypt, 13-12 in the quarter-finals.

Williams then secured her place in the final after a 24-18 semi-final victory over Cote d’Ivoire’s Ruth Gbagbi.

Speaking after the final, Williams told the BBC: “It’s not enough, I had her, ten seconds, I just let it go. I made a mistake and let it go, it’s on me.

“I went out there to win and tried my best but it didn’t happen on the day. I am very happy with how I performed but it’s a shame she got it.

“An Olympic silver medal is not bad, is it?”

Ystrad Mynach's Lauren Price has won an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo
Ystrad Mynach’s Lauren Price won an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo

Following on from Williams’ success, Price won Olympic gold after a comprehensive 5-0 victory over China’s Li Qian in the women’s middleweight final on August 8.

Price, who attended Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed, marked her Olympic debut on July 28 with a 5-0 win over Mongolia’s Myagmarjargal Munkhbat in the last 16, before beating Panama’s Atheyna Bylon 5-0 on Saturday, July 31 to reach the semi-finals.

At the semi-final stage, she beat Nouchka Fontijn, of the Netherlands, on a split decision to reach the final.

Price was given a hero’s welcome as she returned to Ystrad Mynach on Tuesday, August 10. Crowds adorned Penallta Road waving Welsh flags to welcome back an emotional Price – who stopped for photos with residents young and old.

Lauren Price received a hero's welcome as she returned to Ystrad Mynach as an Olympic gold-medallist
Lauren Price received a hero’s welcome as she returned to Ystrad Mynach as an Olympic gold-medallist

Upon arrival, Price was greeted by her grandmother, Linda.

Price dedicated her victory to her grandmother and late grandfather Derek, who passed away in November.

As a baby, Price was taken in and raised by her grandparents.

After her gold medal win, Price told the BBC: “I can’t really put into words what they’ve done for me over the years, I just love them both so much.

“Big shout out to my nan, I can’t wait to see her and show my medal off.”


Never miss an update

Join 1,500+ residents who get the borough’s top stories, local events, and updates sent to their inbox every weekday evening for free.


Support quality, independent local news Help fund public-interest journalism in Caerphilly County Borough from just £1 a month and enjoy an advert-free website experience. Become a member today →

CCBC
Team GB
GB Boxing
Phil Morris

Latest News

  • Delyth Jewell, Plaid Cymru MS for Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, and deputy minister for social care, mental health, and women’s health
    Parents must be treated as “vital to the care team” in Welsh neonatal units, minister tells SeneddWednesday, September 30, 2026
  • More homes pledged for north of county borough in next decadeWednesday, September 30, 2026
  • Graham Cole on the track at Val de Vienne
    French triumph and podium places for Caerphilly racing aceWednesday, September 30, 2026
  • Crosskeys Welfare Bowls Club players with their Super Eights trophy in Ebbw Vale
    Depleted Crosskeys Bowls Club draft in ‘Dad’s Army’ to win Super Eights competitionWednesday, September 30, 2026
  • Councillors Jan Jones, left, and Janine Reed
    “We can’t keep burying our heads in the sand”: Council backs contaminated land inquiryWednesday, September 30, 2026
  • St James' Church, Rudry
    Community concert to raise funds for historic church and food bankWednesday, September 30, 2026

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Blackwood Stars RFCMonday, September 21, 2026
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesMonday, September 21, 2026
  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Commercial Street, RiscaThursday, September 17, 2026
  • Notice of application for a Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence: Pantglas Industrial EstateThursday, September 17, 2026
© 2009-2026 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.