Special medal marks rower Jessica's oarsome achievements

Sep 10 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

ATHLETE Jessica Eddie narrowly missed out on a medal after travelling over 5,000 miles to the Beijing Olympics.

Yesterday she strolled five minutes from her family home in Durham to collect one. Jessica, 23, was a member of the Great Britain women’s rowing eight whose medal hopes were dashed when two of the crew caught flu and had to be replaced in the final by last-minute substitutes.

Their only consolation was holding off the Australian boat to finish fifth.

Yesterday Durham County Council chairman Len O’Donnell presented her with The Chairman’s Medal, on behalf of the council and the people of County Durham, in recognition of her effort and achievement.

Jessica merely had to walk the short distance from North End, Durham, across the road to County Hall to pick up her gong.

She was accompanied by parents Stewart and Norah, and twin sister Alex, herself a keen rower. All three also travelled to Beijing to cheer her on.

“Jessica may not have won an Olympic medal, but her place in the finals confirmed that she is one of the best athletes in the world at her chosen sport,” said Coun O’Donnell.

“Athletes may disagree, but to me, sport is not always about winning. It’s about being part of a team and doing the very best that you can, and there’s no doubt that Jessica and her crew-mates did that in Beijing.

“We’re all very proud of what she has achieved in her sport, and that she flew the flag for Great Britain and County Durham in such a prestigious event as the Olympic Games. She is a very worthy recipient of The Chairman’s Medal.”

Jessica learnt to row in Durham at the age of eight and combined rowing with rugby and netball while at St Leonard’s RC Comprehensive. She now rows for University of London Women’s BC and is studying for a degree in biology at Royal Holloway, University of London.