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Olympics: IT'S A FULL HOUSE
VICTORIA Pendleton and Ross Edgar pedalled their way to Beijing Olympics glory this week – making it a full house of medals for local GB athletes in the process.
Golden girl Pendleton scooped her first-ever Olympic gold in the individual sprint on Tuesday, adding to the silver won by Edgar in the keirin on Saturday and bronze achieved by Sharon Hunt last week in the team three-day event.
Pendleton, a Mildenhall Cycling Club second-claim member, was in a class of her own against long-time Australian rival Anna Meares when the two squared off in the best-of-three final.
The 27-year-old double world champion stormed to a memorable 2-0 victory – sealing Great Britain's seventh gold in the Laoshan Velodrome. The win saw Pendleton become the first British woman to achieve a sprint gold at the Olympics.
Proud father Max watched Pendleton's heroics near his home in Stotfold.
"It was the most special moment for Victoria and her family," he said. "More than anything else, she has desperately wanted to be crowned Olympic champion.
"She showed incredible talent at an early age and I always believed that she could reach the very top."
Pendleton's build-up to Beijing was boosted by two gold medals at the Manchester-based World Champ-ionships in March, when she won the team sprint and individual sprint, before gaining a silver in the keirin.
"The last four years have been an emotional roller-coaster for her," said Mr Pendleton, who has been a Mildenhall Cycling Club member for 29 years.
"People do not realise how hard you have to work to be the best. Vicky is either in the gym or on the track day in, day out. She needs 11 hours of sleep every night just to let her body recover from all the training she does during the day."
Pendleton will remain in Beijing for the closing ceremony on Monday, when she will be involved in the handover of the Olympic flag ahead of London 2012.
After being left out of GB's gold-winning sprint team on Saturday, Ousden-based Edgar had a point to prove when he took to the track a day later in the keirin.
The life-time member of the West Suffolk Wheelers responded in blistering fashion to secure silver in what proved to be a thrilling final.
The 25-year-old displayed impressive power and speed on the final lap to move through the field and finish just behind triple-gold winner and team-mate Chris Hoy.
"I had to battle my way through at the end," said Edgar. "I cannot put this achievement into words – it is unbelievable."
Barry Denny, a long-time member of West Suffolk Wheelers, who has charted Edgar's career since he was a youngster, was delighted.
"We are all very proud of him and thrilled that he has fulfilled his potential," he said.
Meanwhile, equestrian star Sharon Hunt has returned home and has vowed to go at least one better when the Games are staged in London.
“Winning a medal at my first Olympics was a phenomenal experience and I can’t wait to do it all again in front of a home crowd,” said the 30-year-old, who lives in Great Saxham.
“As an athlete, you are always aiming to improve and I am targeting at least a silver in London, but hopefully a gold.”
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
