Family tributes to Olympic silver medallist Richard Egington

7:20am Thursday 28th August 2008

RICHARD Egington's family have paid further tributes to the Olympic silver medallist.

Rower Egington, who flew back to London with fellow Warrington rower Olivia Whitlam and the rest of the British team on Monday, missed out on gold medal glory with the men’s eight crew by less than two seconds.

After racing had finished, he shared time in Beijing with his girlfriend Faye and sister Angela, who watched the men’s eight final from the stands at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing Park venue.

Angela, aged 26, who followed her brother to both Lymm High School and Reading University, said: “The atmosphere was electric while watching the race.

“There were a lot of nerves just watching but it was really special being in the stand with the family and friends of all the rowers in the men’s eight.

“Faye and myself spent some time with Richard afterwards and it was great to see the Chinese people treating the athletes like stars.

“Richard was getting treated really well and people were asking for his autograph.

“We’re just so proud of what he has achieved. The work he has done has been phenominal and he has had to sacrifice so much to get where he is.

“That’s the main thing I feel - just how much effort he has put in for years to get on the squad and to get his fitness. It’s incredible what he’s done.”

Egington’s parents Barbara and Phillip are looking forward to heading down to Henley to see their son before he jets off to America to enjoy a break from the intense training and competition.

Barbara said: “Aiming for the Olympics means you put your life on hold.

“Richard has only had one day off each month. There’s no social life and you only have holidays when they say, which is a couple of weeks in the summer and a few days at Christmas.

“I’ve not seen him since Christmas, only spoken on the phone.”

Barbara has given an insight into the level of support her son received from fellow Warringtonians back home while he stroked his way to the silver medal.

She said: “I had phone calls from people that I’ve not spoken to for years.

“All the neighbours were watching on television and my niece said they were all watching at work.

“I’m involved with St Rocco’s Hospice and even the staff there were watching it.

“My sister works at Warrington Hospital, and they had it on the television.

“Lots of people did get involved and were cheering him on, which was great.

“I don’t think he realised the level of support he has had.”

Barbara continued: “One of the nurses, a sister in the in-patients, said to me: “Are you a proud mum?”

“I asked how she knew about my son and she said she’d been following it in the Warrington Guardian.

“She said that her son was telling her who Richard was while he had been following his story in the Guardian.

“The whole experience has been lovely and I’m very proud.

“I never ever thought Richard would make the Olympics but he’s worked very hard.

“I think that losing by one second and a bit left all the crew thinking about how close they were to gold but it wasn’t meant to be.

“Any medal is special.”