Maybe it’s the Central Otago sun, but the district is again in celebration mode after Clyde woman Nicole Shields clinched a silver medal in the women’s team pursuit at the Paris Olympics.
It is Central Otago and Dunstan High School’s second Olympic medal after Alexandra kayaker, also a former Dunstan High student, Finn Butcher, won gold earlier this week.
A former coach said an Olympic medal was only a matter of time for Shields, who was a cyclist with grit, determination and a phenomenal work ethic.
Simon Smith said he was "stoked" for Shields.
"She’s naturally gifted in her physical ability but her work ethic is what makes her different."
In high school Shields often trained on her own, showing "massive individual effort", Mr Smith said.
Dunstan High teacher Alan "Bones" Hamilton, who also coached Shields, said she was driven to achieve her goal of an Olympic medal and was not going to give up.
She had put in some "hard years" to get to the Olympics, Mr Hamilton said.
"Most people would have dropped out a long time ago ... It’s only made her stronger."
"I was so proud of the way they were humble with their success ... The beautiful smile from them both — it says ‘thank you’."
Speaking to students at Dunstan High School yesterday, principal Andrew King said excellence did not happen by chance.
"People, if they set their mind to it, with the support of this amazing community can achieve amazing things.
"It’s fantastic when you realise that, at the pinnacle, the Olympic Games, that the world was watching two kids from Dunstan light it up."
Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan said Shields’ silver medal would inspire young people.
"That kid who went to school in Clyde . . . has gone to the Olympics and come out . . . one of the best in the world."
Shields and Butcher had been composed and gracious in their success, he said.
"Everybody must be uplifted and just thrilled for these young people.
"As far as we can tell [Central Otago] has never had an Olympic medal before, and now we’ve got two within half a week."
The outstanding result was not lost on another former teacher of Shields.
"We don’t have an Olympian come along every day, " former Clyde School principal Doug White said.
"She’s a product of family and the community of Central [Otago], who have pulled out the stops for her."
