Wash Common couple get up close to Olympic medal

Howard and Maria Grace of Lewis Walk, Wash Common, hosted friend of the family James Hartley, who is father of South African women’s kayak sprinter, Bridgitte Hartley, during the games.
The 29-year-old won a bronze medal in the women's singles 500m kayak sprint at Eton Dorney in Berkshire on August 9, with Danuta Kozak (Hungary) in first and Inna Osypenko-Radomoska (Ukraine) in second.
Mrs Grace said: “It was a great atmosphere at Dorney - very colourful and friendly. It was very jolly with loud cheers for team GB, but the other nations were also supported.
“Bridgitte did really well. She picked up in the later stages of the race and was delighted with her bronze medal.”
Mrs Grace added: “It was the first time Mr Hartley had been outside South Africa. He was delighted with his stay here, especially walking along the canal and going into Newbury.”
Pictured top right is Mrs Grace (left) with Bridgitte Hartley and her women's Olympic singles 500m kayak sprint bronze medal.
Pictured bottom right is Bridgitte Hartley in the number five kayak in the women's Olympic singles 500m kayak sprint final at Eton Dorney.