'Highest honour' for medallists

Hynd and Adlington have brought golden glory to Mansfield

Olympic swimming gold medallists Rebecca Adlington and Sam Hynd have been awarded the Freedom of Mansfield.

Mansfield District councillors in Nottinghamshire voted unanimously on Tuesday night to grant the swimmers the highest honour the council can bestow.

Rebecca Adlington, 19, won two Olympic gold medals in Beijing for the 400m and 800m freestyle events.

Seventeen-year-old Sam Hynd won gold in the S8 400m freestyle event in the Paralympics. Both live in Mansfield.

Hynd also won a bronze medal in the SM8 200m individual medley.

Both swimmers are members of the Nottinghamshire-based Nova Centurion Swimming club.

'Fantastic ambassadors'

Mansfield's executive mayor Tony Eggington said: "In their sporting achievements, Rebecca and Sam have brought tremendous honour and pride to the people of our district.

"They are both fantastic ambassadors, both in and out of the pool, as well as being extremely dedicated, determined and, above all, likeable young people.

"Therefore, in recognition of their world record-breaking golden triumphs, it is befitting that we should grant them the greatest honour at our disposal."

Adlington and Hynd will formally receive the Honorary Freedom of the District and accept an illuminated scroll with the Common Seal of the Council at a civic event later in the year.

Only a few people or groups have been awarded Mansfield's Freedom of the District, including the Cantamus Girls' Choir and the Second Battalion of the Mercian Regiment.

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