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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

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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.”


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