Sir Chris awarded freedom of Edinburgh

Monday 17 September 2012

Britain's most successful Olympian Sir Chris Hoy was yesterday awarded the freedom of his home city.

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The winner of six gold medals joined other Olympians and Paralympians on an open-top bus parade through Edinburgh before attending a civic reception where he joined the exclusive club of those who have received the freedom of the city.

They include the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Sir Sean Connery and Nelson Mandela.Sir Chris changed from the Olympic tracksuit that he wore on the bus parade into a traditional kilt for the private ceremony at the Assembly Rooms where he was presented with the honour by Edinburgh Lord Provost Donald Wilson.He said: "I'm immensely proud, but this award is for all the people who have helped me through the years, from the little seven-year-old racing BMXs to racing for Olympic medals in London. It's been an amazing journey."The parade is the third celebration Sir Chris has been part of in the last week but he said his home-town parade was "more personal and emotional"."You can't really put it into words what it means but it's our chance to thank everybody for their support," he said.He was joined on stage by his wife Sara to receive the freedom of the city, and former rugby player Gavin Hastings paid tribute to his achievements.For the official celebrations for Scotland's Olympic and Paralympic athletes, Sir Chris led more than 50 athletes into George Square in Glasgow on Friday, where they were met by a crowd of 17,000.Thousands turned out in Edinburgh despite heavy rain. Sir Chris signed autographs and talked to the crowd outside the City Chambers before boarding an open-top bus painted gold for the occasion.Moira Duncan, 63, did not mind standing in the rain to meet her hero. She said: "It's great to have another parade in Edinburgh because it's where Chris is from and we all just want to let him know how proud we are of him. I managed to shake his hand and I just told him: 'Well done'."

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Sir Chris awarded freedom of Edinburgh

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