Olympian 'deeply honoured' to receive freedom of borough

She said it was a great honour to attend and share in the joy of the family and friends of Hannah.

"Young girls will realise they can do what Hannah has achieved if they work and train hard," she said.

Scott is pictured with members of Bann Rowing Club who attended the event [BBC]

Scott is only the second woman from Northern Ireland to win Olympic gold, following Lady Mary Peters' gold medal victory at the Munich Olympics in 1972.

The Independent MLA for East Londonderry, Clare Sugden, attended the ceremony and said Scott was an inspiration.

"It's about recognising one of our most successful daughters in the area," she said.

"She is an inspiration to a lot of young women and we are incredibly proud of her."

'Hannah is an inspiration'

Susan MacLaughlin is the president of Bann Rowing club and also attended the celebrations.

She said it is lovely to see Hannah "acknowledged locally for what she has achieved", adding: "I always knew she was going places."

Scott donated her £20,000 award from the Olympic Medallist Fund, which was set up following the games, to her home club, Bann Rowing Club, where she has been a member throughout her sporting career.

The club used the money to buy two single scull boats and a safety boat.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Oliver McMullan said: "Hannah means an awful lot to the borough. She is an inspiration to young people to take up their chosen sport."

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