‘Lizzie made everyone proud’ (From Ilkley Gazette)

‘Lizzie made everyone proud’

3:35pm Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Local news

Civic dignitaries were gushing with praise for Lizzie Armitstead’s silver success.

Otley Town Council leader Councillor John Eveleigh said: “What an amazing race. Lizzie has made everyone very proud.

“It couldn’t have happened to a better person, and to a better family. In all the time I’ve lived in Otley, I can’t think of a single thing that has united the town in quite the same way.

“The town council will want to discuss with Lizzie and her family, as soon as possible, the most suitable way of celebrating with her this amazing result.”

Otley Chamber of Trade president Tim Wilkinson said: “On behalf of the town’s business community, we offer three rousing cheers and our warmest congratulations to Otl-ey’s favourite daughter.

“I understand the news the whole town was decorated in her honour got through, and hope that in some way thoughts of her home town cheering her on as one contributed to her truly remarkable silver medal.

“True to her roots, Lizzie has always found time to return to Otley for the annual summer street cycle races night, which the town’s cycling and business commun-ity appreciates, and such a tremendous local success story can’t harm the town as a whole in keeping the name of Otley on the map.

“The positive public-ity and media presence surrounding Lizzie’s medal has buzzed around the town since the moment she crossed the line and given a real boost to the place.”

Otley mayor Council-lor Mary Vickers said it was a victory for the whole town, and one that would be celeb-rated in full upon Lizzie’s return.

She added: “We are so proud of this wonderful achievement, and every-one in Otley and the town council are proud of her. We shall be having big celebrations.”

Otley’s MP Greg Mulholland said: “I, and everyone in Otley, are immensely proud of Lizzie for taking silver in the women’s road race.

“It is absolutely fanta-stic for the town that they now have their first Olympic medal winner.

“Lizzie is just amaz-ing. Not only did she win the first Team GB medal of the 2012 Games, but she did so in an incredible fashion. I look forward to welcom-ing her back to Otley.”

Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Ann Castle said: “Huge congratula-tions to Lizzie Armits-tead for winning Team GB’s first medal at the London 2012 Olympics with a wonderful silver.

“Everyone in the country, and especially here in Otley, Leeds and Yorkshire, can be very proud of her.”