Golden Girl Nicole's Happy Homecoming

 

News Posted: 2 Sept 2008

Images: Adrian Crowley

A big crowd came along to cheer Nicole's homecoming

Olympic Games gold medallist Nicole Cooke received a rapturous welcome when she returned to her home village of Wick, near Bridgend, Wales on Saturday.  Hundreds of local people took the opportunity to welcome Nicole home after her success in the women's road race in Beijing. Cooke was escorted on an open top bus around the village where people lined the streets waving their Welsh flags and cheering.

Nicole, as ever, was happy to spend time with her many young fans

A calvacade of cyclists followed the open top bus on the journey around the village in a special tribute to Cooke. St Athan Band played on top of the bus and Bridgend male voice choir sang the national anthem.

No ticket required! - Nicole arrives on her bus

Last Tuesday Cooke and other Welsh members of Team GB enjoyed a formal civil ceremony at the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff, but this smaller reception was a much more intimate and personal affair, full of family, friends and well wishers as well as young cycling fans.

Young riders line up for one of the races

 

A plaque was also unveiled at Wick village hall to honour Nicole's achievements. The event had huge media attention with Sky, ITV, BBC and radio stations there. Cooke, of course, wore her Gold medal.

 

"It's fantastic to be here today, " Cooke said. "I'm very proud to be part of such a great community". She thanked the huge crowd for helping to make the day very special.

Later, young cyclists competed in races where Nicole waved them off at the start line and cheered them on.

That magic moment - Nicole claims gold

 

Pictures from of the day: Michael Heaven WC

Nicole making her way to start the races.

Nicole and signing the specially made numbers

 

Riders of all ability could compete in the races

Halfords Bikehut - prize donations

Massive crowds and wonderful weather

Ian Jenkins waves the finish flag for one rider

Keen to get on with it

 

The course was not as easy as it looked

Towy Riders

Newport Velo

Everybody was a winner

A hard fought battle by two young riders

3, 2 ,1 GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Rare, signed, Halfords BC tops.