KEY POINTS:
The accolades keep coming for retired rowing greats Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell.
The twins were today named as the recipients of the New Zealand Olympic Committee's (NZOC) Lonsdale Cup for 2008.
The Cup goes to athletes whom the NZOC deems to have made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth sport each year.
The Evers-Swindells were chosen after an outstanding campaign at Beijing this year which saw them join an elite group of New Zealand athletes who successfully defend an Olympic title.
Despite some mediocre form leading up to the Games, the sisters won the double sculls final in August before retiring in October after stellar careers.
NZOC secretary general Barry Maister said the pair's achievement in Beijing was particularly well deserved.
"The women's double sculls final at Beijing produced one of the most dramatic finishes in New Zealand sporting history," he said.
"The gold medal was all the more memorable when you consider the superb comeback from disappointing performances ahead of Beijing."
Maister said there were a number of top contenders for the award this year following the gold medals won in Beijing by shot putter Valerie Vili and sailor Tom Ashley, while rower Mahe Drysdale was also a consideration after he battled illness to secure a bronze medal in the single sculls.
The Evers-Swindells were honoured to receive the Lonsdale Cup.
" It really means a lot, especially when you think about who else could have received the Cup," Georgina said.
"It was a really lovely way to end the year."
The Evers-Swindells were also awarded the Lonsdale Cup in 2003 after winning back to back world titles in 2002 and 2003.
Murray Halberg was the first recipient of the Lonsdale Cup in 1961.
The award has been awarded annually since, with Vili receiving the honour in 2006 and 2007.
- NZPA
