The Great Britain Olympic and Paralympic Cycling Team, which returned home from the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games with no less than 34 medals, has been granted Freedom of the City of Manchester in recognition of their outstanding performance and conferred at a ceremony at the Manchester Town Hall. 
Victoria Pendleton and Sarah Storey collect the honour from Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council
The GB team was well represented at the ceremony, with Victoria Pendleton, Wendy Houvenaghel, Chris Newton and others attending straight from their Gold medal winning success at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester. The Paralympic Team were also in attendance, including Jody Cundy and Sarah Storey, ahead of the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships also taking place in Manchester from the 6 – 8 November.
Dave Brailsford, Performance Director, commented: “It's a great honour for the GB Olympic and Paralympic Cycling Team to be granted the Freedom of the City. Both the athletes and the staff are extremely grateful for the support we have received from Manchester City Council over the years and we appreciate this recognition of our achievements.”
Brian Cookson, British Cycling President, said: “Our success would not have been possible without the support of Manchester City Council. We look forward to continuing our close partnership with the city in the run up to London 2012 and beyond.”
For more information please visit www.britishcycling.org.uk.
