New award for Huntingdon Olympic hope

COMMONWEALTH Games champion Luke Folwell was awarded yet another string to his bow with a certificate of achievement from the mayor of Huntingdon yesterday evening.

Gymnast Luke will can perch the certificate presented on behalf of Huntingdon Town Council and the people of Huntingdon next to the hoard of gold and silver medals he won at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October.

The 23 year old who is on course for a place in the British Olympic gymnast team, said he felt honoured to receive the certificate, and quipped he would return for another bigger award in 2012.

Speaking before a small gathering of councillors and youth town council members Luke said: “Thank you. It means a lot to be a local lad and recognised locally. It is nice to be a couple of months down the line and still get recognised for the success.

“Also a big thank you to my parents and family. I hope in 2012 to get another bigger certificate.”

Luke, who was born and bred in Huntingdon, won two gold medals in the all round and vault competitions and three silver medals, in the parallel bars, rings and team competitions in New Delhi, making him the most successful British gymnast in Commonwealth history.

He is due to fly out to Cancun in Mexico for a winter training programme next month and told the Hunts Post the next few months were going to be crucial to his Olympic hopes.

Presenting the award, mayor Jennifer Sarabia said: “I am delighted to have the honour of presenting him with the certificate on behalf of the town council. I am sure the certificate will mean much more than the two gold medals and the silver medals.

“It is a whole different life being a gymnast and now just bor you but your parents. It affects the whole family. You have got to put everything into it. There is a lot of travel and it costs a lot of money to do it. You have got be very dedicated to do that. So I want to say thank you to your parents for their support and your siblings.”