Olympics: Parades add shine to medallists' gold

By RENEE KIRIONA

Cambridge was festooned in yellow ribbons and cakes were baked to welcome home Olympians Sarah Ulmer and Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell yesterday.

Thousands of people from the Waikato and further afield watched as Ulmer traded in her bicycle and the Evers-Swindells exchanged their paddles for Mustang cars.

The crowd stood on rooftops and in the streets to cheer the Olympic gold medallists, who were accompanied by the town's other Olympic great, equestrian Mark Todd.

"I didn't think our winning gold would have had such a big effect," Georgina Evers-Swindell told the crowd. "You guys are amazing and you have been incredible for making Cambridge feel like home to us."

For Carolina the turnout was just as overwhelming, but because her sister had covered everything in her speech, she simply thanked the crowd.

Like her fellow athletes, Ulmer was left almost speechless.

"This is wicked. Thank you, Cambridge."

The parade also provided a golden moment for Waikato's emerging young rowers and cyclists who escorted the victorious athletes.

"I'm just so proud to be part of the parade," said 16-year-old cyclist Rushlee Buchanan.

"Sarah is like a mentor for me. I want to do exactly what she has done."

In Waipa, Mayor Alan Livingston said New Zealand could expect more impressive performances from Cambridge and Te Awamutu-based rowers and cyclists.

"With our excellent sports facilities and Lake Karapiro, we've got a wealth of talent here."

For the thousands of schoolchildren who turned out, the parade was an inspiration.

"Our teacher has told us that Sarah and the two sisters are the type of people we should look up to," said 13-year-old Marlene Fergusson from Tauranga Intermediate School. "I think its pretty cool what they have done."

The event was also a proud moment for the 10 elderly men and women from Cambridge Resthaven. "They've put Cambridge on the map again," said resident Hazel Knudsen.

At the end of the parade the gold medallists were presented with gifts - a bottle of Baileys and a carrot cake for Ulmer, a banana cake for Georgina Evers-Swindell and a chocolate one for her sister.

The parade followed one in Te Awamutu.