Olympian 'deeply honoured' to receive freedom of borough
· Yahoo Sports
Olympic gold medallist Hannah Scott has said it is "really special" to have been awarded the freedom of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough council.
The council said it was in recognition of her outstanding achievements, including winning Olympic gold in the Women's Quadruple Sculls as part of Team GB at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
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The freedom of the borough is the highest honour that a council can bestow on any organisation or individual.
During a speech at the ceremony, the 26-year-old Coleraine woman said she was "delighted and deeply honoured to receive it."
The move was unanimously agreed at a special meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in January, where Scott was described as "an inspiration" to young women.
The official civic ceremony took place on Saturday at Coleraine Town Hall.
Members of Bann Rowing Club formed a guard of honour for the Olympic star [BBC]Speaking to BBC News NI after the ceremony Scott said: "It's really special to receive this from the people who have raised me and come with me on this journey."
Many attended the celebrations on Saturday, including Lady Mary Peters.
She said it was a great honour to attend and share in the joy of the family and friends of Hannah.
"Young girls will realise they can do what Hannah has achieved if they work and train hard," she said.
Scott is pictured with members of Bann Rowing Club who attended the event [BBC]Scott is only the second woman from Northern Ireland to win Olympic gold, following Lady Mary Peters' gold medal victory at the Munich Olympics in 1972.
The Independent MLA for East Londonderry, Clare Sugden, attended the ceremony and said Scott was an inspiration.
"It's about recognising one of our most successful daughters in the area," she said.
"She is an inspiration to a lot of young women and we are incredibly proud of her."
'Hannah is an inspiration'
Susan MacLaughlin is the president of Bann Rowing club and also attended the celebrations.
She said it is lovely to see Hannah "acknowledged locally for what she has achieved", adding: "I always knew she was going places."
Scott donated her £20,000 award from the Olympic Medallist Fund, which was set up following the games, to her home club, Bann Rowing Club, where she has been a member throughout her sporting career.
The club used the money to buy two single scull boats and a safety boat.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Oliver McMullan said: "Hannah means an awful lot to the borough. She is an inspiration to young people to take up their chosen sport."