Chain reaction

ALL together now . . . Chris Newton, his wife Lindsey and baby daughter Grace (centre), were welcomed by civic leaders (from the left) the Mayoress, Shafeena Kausar; the Mayor, Councillor Shoab Akhtar; Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle; Council Leader Howard Sykes; and Deputy Mayoress, Councillor Kay Knox

TREBLE Olympic medal hero Chris Newton was received with a standing ovation at a civic reception in his honour.

The event, at the civic centre on Saturday, was attended by the borough’s dignitaries, MPs, honorary freemen and aldermen, plus special guests, who gathered to congratulate the cyclist on his achievement.

Delighted Chris said: “Things like this are really special and unexpected. All you do at the Olympics is concentrate on the job in hand, which is riding my bike, and trying to win medals.”

Wearing the bronze medal he won in Beijing, he added: “It’s not until you come to these occasions you realise what impact great sporting achievements create for people back at home.

“For myself, I have been competing since I was 13. Greatness doesn’t come in a day, it takes a lot of hard work.

“The gulf between setting out on a sport and Olympic glory is massive, but each step brings you closer, as does support from family, friends, coaches and managers.”

The Middlesborough-born 34-year-old, who now lives in Chadderton with his family, added: “I have had a lot of setbacks along the way, and it is very humbling for me to be here.”

Chris received a framed front page of the Oldham Chronicle recording his win, and a cut crystal bowl emblazoned with the Oldham coat of arms.

His wife Lindsey and baby daughter Grace were with him at the reception. Lindsey said: “I’m very proud of what Chris has achieved and it’s a great honour to have a civic reception. It’s fantastic.”

The Mayor, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, said Chris was an inspiration and role model for young people.

Besides his Beijing bronze, Chris also won a bronze at the 2000 Sydney Games and a silver in Athens four years ago.

He has also twice been crowned world champion, and is a Commonwealth silver and bronze medallist. “In short,” said Councillor Akhtar, “Chris’s career to date has been nothing short of spectacular.

“I know he is having second thoughts about competing in the next Olympics in London, but we hope he will be able to participate in those Games.”

The Mayor told Chris he was a credit to his family, the sport, and his adopted home of Oldham. He told him: “We salute your achievements.”