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Homecoming parade for Team GB's medal-winning rowers

BBC An open-topped bus making its way through Henley, with bunting hanged from shops from one side of the street to the other; a brass band making its way through the street, ahead of the bus; and on-lookers cheering the athletes, many of whom are holding umbrellasBBC
The celebrations continued despite the rain

Pouring rain failed to dampen the spirits of celebrations to honour the return of Olympic and Paralympic rowers.

The athletes rode an open-topped bus through Henley-on-Thames, starting from the iconic Leander Club and finishing at the Town Hall.

A special rowing event was then held ahead of a private Leander Club reception.

Club general manager Al Heathcote said he was "very proud" of the rowers, and that it was a "great opportunity to meet these current Olympic heroes in person".

Erin Kennedy, coxswain for the Team GB rowing team and Paralympic champion, was part of the celebrations.

“Henley is synonymous with rowing," she said. "Leander Club is my home club, so it’s great to be able to celebrate with Leander and come and celebrate with the people of Henley because they really do get behind rowing.”

Erin Kennedy is dressed in a grey, zip-up Adidas hooded top and is wearing a white T-shirt underneath that. She has shoulder-length mousey brown hair and is smiling. She is stood in front of the River Thames in Henley, with a bridge and a boat behind her
Erin Kennedy said it was "good to be able to give something back" to the people of Henley

The event started from 09:30 BST, ahead of the bus procession, which was accompanied by the Wokingham Brass Band, and ended at the Town Hall.

Ms Kennedy said. “Rowing takes over the town more than one week a year and they put up with it very nicely so it’s nice to be able to give something back.”

PA Media Five rowers celebrate in their boat after winning their final at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The crew of three women have their arms aloft, while the two men at the rear of the boat are facing downwards as if recovering from their efforts.PA Media
The PR3 Mixed Cowed Four crew of (L-R) Erin Kennedy, Franke Allen, Giedre Rakauskaite, Ed Fuller and Josh O'Brien won gold at the Paralympics

Rory Hunt, the mayor of Henley, said it was “an immensely special day”.

“We are very proud as a town to have such a special sporting pedigree across many sports but no more so than rowing.”

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