Olympic heroes make their mark on YP voters

Ed Clancy and Luke Campbell are the men to round out our top eight.

Clancy is arguably the greatest Yorkshire Olympian of all time, and the Barnsley-born, Huddersfield-raised cyclist certainly has the medals to back up such a claim.

In London he defended the team pursuit title he helped win in Beijing, and then added a bronze in the gruelling six-event omnium.

Clancy’s success derives from a strong work ethic and a sheer love for riding his bike.

Yorkshire Post reader Geoff Atkinson voted for Clancy and said: “Most of his wins have been in a team where his absense of ego and selflessness makes him the de facto team leader.

“And Mark Cavendish has called his cat after Ed which is almost as great an accolade as this award.”

Of the myriad images that London 2012 evokes, one of the most moving has to be that of Hull bantamweight Campbell when the judges confirmed he had beaten Ireland’s John Joe Nevin to win the Olympic title.

The 24-year-old had tears in his eyes as he lifted his hands aloft. It was almost as if he could barely believe what he had achieved.

Like Adams, his beloved sport had taken him to the depths of disappointment.

At the ExCel Arena on Saturday, August 11, he scaled the heights and the emotion of it all overcame him.

His journey, and the good nature with which he greeted trials and tribulations, made his accomplishment at London 2012 one of the most heartwarming.

Other people who were voted for by you, our readers, were Olympic bronze medallist and world triathlon champion Jonny Brownlee, who has had an unforgettable year, regardless of the achievements of his elder brother Alistair.

And from the world of cricket, Andrew Gale garnered most acclaim for steering Yorkshire to promotion and the Twenty20 final.