Hexham rower wins Olympic medal

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Posted by Simon Honeysett on Aug 16, 08 03:57 PM in Sport

Hexham rower Matthew Wells has won a bronze medal at the Olympics.

Rowing with fellow Durham University graduate Stephen Rowbotham, the former Queen Elizabeth High School pupil secured third place in the double sculls final, after missing out on silver by an agonising five one hundredths of a second.

Matt, 29, said: "It was just that last couple of strokes.

"We were hanging on there in second place and they were just coming and coming behind us. We're really pleased to have won something. We hoped to have a good race today and we're pleased with it."

Tony Webster, Matt's former headteacher at Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School, was also toasting his one-time pupil's success.

He said: "We all feel very proud at the school of Matt as this is the first time he has won an Olympic medal.
"Matt was always a great rower and was part of the school's excellent rowing team. He was a phenomenally hard worker and dedicated sportsman at school, as well as being a very likable young man.

"I know that many people in Hexham have been following his progress and are very proud of his achievements. He kindly gave us one of his oars from the Sydney Olympics which we have placed on a wall of the school."

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