‘Gold in London 2012 is in my sights’
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Olympic Silver Medalist Wendy Houveneghel who says she has been overwhelmed by public support on her trip home to Upperlands.
TONIGHT (Wednesday Spetember 3), Upperlands in South Derry with be the sporting centre of attention in Northern Ireland, as the small village will publicly welcome home, Olympic Silver medalist, Wendy Houvenaghel.
Wendy returned home to Northern Ireland for the first time since her Olympic heroics on Monday, and family, neighbours and well wishers were out in force to let the 34 year old cyclist see just how proud they were of her.
But the real party, and show of pride and support will come tonight at 7pm when a special welcome home party in Wendy's honour will commence.
Houvenaghel claimed her Silver medal in Beijing competing in the Individual track pursuit, coming second to Team GB team mate Rebecca Romero, and becoming the first person from Northern Ireland to claim an individual medal at the Olympic games since Wayne McCullough in the 1992 games in Barcelona.
When she arrived home, Wendy said that her success was down three aspects, determination, dedication and family.
She said: "I can honestly say I got that medal because of the help of my parents and husband, combined with dedication and determination, but without the close support of my family, I would not have come away from Beijing an Olympic medalist."
The public support that Wendy has received since her return has been phenomenal, and the Olympian said that she had been 'overwhelmed' by the public response to her achievement.
She said: "Coming home has been great, I've been looking forward to it since I stepped off the podium and I am overwhelmed by the support I have had. It's been surreal really. My mum has told me about the reaction here in Northern Ireland and I'm so pleased that everyone has been behind me and that I have been able to represent both Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I'm very pleased at how things have worked out."
Not one to rest on her laurels, Wendy is already turning her attention to the 2012 games in London: "I think to get a Silver in my debut appearance at the Olympics will stand me in good stead for the next two, if not four years, in the long term, Gold at London 2012 is in my sights."
She added: " Short term I want to relax and take time to consider my future, but London holding the games is a big incentive, if it had of been any other country, Beijing may have been the end."
Houvenaghel was one of two Northern Ireland medal winners in Beijing as boxer Paddy Barnes, representing Ireland, claimed a bronze medal in the light-flyweight division.
