Olympian receives Freedom of City of London

Olympic athlete and sport ambassador, Lady Mary Peters, was granted the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall

An Olympic gold medallist has received the Freedom of the City of London.

Lady Mary Peters won the Olympic title in the pentathlon for Great Britain in the summer Games in Munich, Germany, in 1972 and went on to dedicate her life to helping support young athletes in Northern Ireland.

She has been granted Freedom of the City - an ancient tradition believed to have first been given in 1237 - in recognition of her outstanding sporting achievements and charitable work.

Lady Mary said it was a "privilege to receive this ancient and illustrious accolade".

Freedoms give thanks to individuals for their contribution to London or public life - or to celebrate a very significant achievement, the City of London Corporation says.

Lady Mary was nominated for the award by former Lord Mayors of London, Professor Michael Mainelli and Sir William Russell.

She was honoured in a ceremony at Guildhall on Friday.

"Over 50 years ago, I said that I'd brought back my gold medal for the people of Northern Ireland and now, I'm honoured both personally and on behalf of everyone back home to accept the Freedom of the City of London," said Lady Mary.

'Richly deserved'

Lady Mary's sporting career also saw her win medals in shot put and pentathlon for Northern Ireland at three Commonwealth Games, set some 25 British records and serve as GB women's athletics team manager from 1979 to 1984, covering the Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics.

In 1975, she established The Mary Peters Trust in Belfast, which provides funding for young athletes from disabled and able-bodied sports to help them develop careers in their chosen sports.

Her work has been recognised with honours including being appointed MBE, Dame Commander of the British Empire and The Most Noble Order of the Garter as a Lady Companion.

Professor Mainelli said Lady Mary had both earned a place in sporting history but also for her work supporting and inspiring young athletes.

"Such hard and committed work, both on and away from the athletics track, is eminently worthy of recognition and our admiration," he said.

Sir William Russell said the freedom award was "richly deserved, not just for Mary's sporting achievements, but also for her charitable work with young people who have been inspired by her and want to achieve their own goals".

Other recent high-profile recipients of the Freedom of City of London include Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Hamilton actor and musician Giles Terera and England football captain Harry Kane.