Chambers Medallist: NI Support 'Overwhelming'

Coleraine's Olympic medallist Peter Chambers has said his support from Northern Ireland has been overwhelming.

Peter and his brother Richard were part of the Team GB lightweight men's four rowing final that won silver yesterday.

Their team, including Rob Williams and Chris Bartley, was pipped to the top spot by a South African foursome.

But the Chambers won a record of their own – they were Northern Ireland’s first Olympic medallists of London 2012.

Peter said his "small country" had shored him up as he prepared for the Games.

He said: "The 30,000 people there, British supporters supporting us, was incredible."

"But us the support from back home in Northern Ireland is one of the most important things for us, it's been overwhelming.

"We're so thankful for the support from our small country and especially Coleraine."

His brother Richard could not hide the disappointment he felt at missing out on the top medal.

He said: “We've trained for three or four years for an Olympic gold medal and that’s what we set out to achieve.

"We gave it our all, we did everything we possibly could, we fought to the very last stroke and we've won a very well-earned and well-fought silver medal."

(NE)