A CHEER went up from the crowd as Tavistock's home-grown Olympic medallist Kate Allenby returned to the town for a civic reception in her honour last week.
Kate, who won the bronze medal in the first-ever Olympic women's modern pentathlon event in Sydney, arrived in Bedford Square in a stretch limousine to the admiration of many children assembled in front of the town hall.
Even pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of those gathered for the reception.
'I just want to thank you,' she said. 'To everyone for getting up so early and sitting shouting at their TV, the people who have supported me in Tavistock.
'I had the most cards out of all the British Olympic team — it's been fantastic.'
Kate recalled her big day of competition — and delighted giggling youngsters with an expletive when she described being pipped at the final post by British team mate Steph Cook into third position.
She said: 'When I crossed the finishing line at the end, it was the most amazing feeling I have ever had in my life — I was really chuffed to take that bronze medal, the whole experience has been absolutely fantastic!'
After signing lots of somewhat soggy pieces of paper and autograph books, Kate was welcomed into the town hall by the mayor of Tavistock, Judith Williams, and presented with a commemorative crystal bowl and scroll.
Cllr Williams said she was 'delighted' to welcome Kate back to Tavistock.
'We suffered with Kate the pain of that final run but the joy on her face as she crossed the line and realised that Great Britain had gold and bronze was something we will all remember,' said Cllr Williams.
'Your uninhibited delight at your friend and rival, Steph, achieving gold and then celebrating together was wonderful to watch.'
She said many people in the town hall had watched Kate grow from child to 'superb athlete' — members of Spooners Pony Club, Tavistock Athletic Club and others were there to sign a commemorative scroll to give Kate as a keepsake.
Cllr Williams said: 'I hope you will be an inspiration to the other children in Tavistock who turned out to cheer for you today and I hope in the future we will have more facilities for them to use so they will achieve their full potential.'
Kate's next major event is the World Championships in Somerset next summer — and she has her sights firmly set on a gold medal at the next Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.