Liam Tancock wins Gold
Liam Tancock was given a hero’s welcome in Exeter today after winning a gold medal in the 50m backstroke at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.
He also broke the world record twice, in the semi-final, then in the final, clocking 24.04 seconds. He was the only British man to win a swimming medal at the championships.
Around a thousand people gathered to welcome him back to the city. Lord Mayor John Winterbottom was waiting at the Guildhall to congratulate him, along with other dignitaries and city MP, Ben Bradshaw. The ceremony was followed by a civic lunch in the Guildhall.
Speaking to BBC Radio Devon before the parade, Tancock said, “I’m quite nervous, but it’ll be good fun. Exeter’s got a very big place in my heart, so it’s pretty special.”
Following 15-year-old Plymouth youngster Tom Daley’s triumph in the World Diving Championships just weeks ago, this is a tremendous achievement for Devon, and bodes well for the 2012 Olympics in London.
