Staff and pupils at The King's School Chester were glued to their TV screens on Saturday to see rowing star and former pupil Harry Brightmore claim Olympic gold in Paris.
In his Games debut, talented Harry coxed the Men's VIII to podium glory, celebrating the achievement by climbing onto the boat in an iconic image that was shared around the world.
Harry Brightmore carries the crew's blades during training in Paris.
Director of rowing at The King's, David Blackham, knows Harry from his time in the school's rowing squad and congratulated him on the incredible win.
He said: "I can't tell you how proud I, the rowing club and the school were to see Harry achieve his Olympic dream.
Harry Brightmore is pictured shortly after his win with King's School rowing coach, Matt Jump.
"From the moment he started coxing at King's, it was always his goal to be the best that he could be; he was always aiming higher and trying to be better.
"His determination and commitment have certainly paid off as he can now call himself an Olympic champion!"
Harry isn't the first former King's pupil to win Olympic gold and he follows in the footsteps of 2008 and 2012 Olympic rowing champion, Tom James.
Harry Brightmore coxed the Men's VIII to Olympic victory.
Mr Blackham continued: "In the same year that Tom won his first Olympic gold, Harry made his national-level racing debut for King's at the National Schools Regatta.
"There is no doubt that Harry was inspired by Tom when the Olympic champion returned to King's with his medal in 2008 and I am sure that it planted the seed of what could be possible in his own future.
"Fast forward 16 years and Harry is the one inspiring a new generation of rowers at the school. He gives them the belief that with hard work and dedication, they too can represent their country one day."
Rowing for Team GB was Harry's childhood dream. Picture: Team GB.
Harry's accomplishments include being a two-time European and World Champion in the men's VIII, winning six Henley Regatta titles, including the Grand Challenge Cup in 2023 with Great Britain, and securing gold medals in all events in 2024.
Before leaving for Paris, he paid tribute to his former King's coaches and teachers, saying: "It's a childhood dream to be selected for the Olympics and that dream started 16 years ago at King's."
Since his win, Harry has been in touch with the school and hopes to visit next month to speak to pupils, thank his former club in person and, of course, show off his gold medal.
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