They are local heroes who have both been on top of the world – and now their achievements have been marked much closer to home.
Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington OBE and Mountaineer Doug Scott CBE have become the latest people to have a tram named in their honour.
Swimmer Rebecca’s career highlight came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she became a double gold winning medallist and broke a 19 year old World Record in the 800m freestyle. As well as winning multiple Olympic medals, Rebecca is also a World, Commonwealth and European medallist.
Rebecca, who spent years training in Nottingham, still has strong ties to her hometown of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire where there is a swimming centre named in her honour. She has also made numerous TV appearances since retiring in 2013, including, “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” 2013, and more recently in Channel 4’s The Jump.
Doug Scott, who was born in Nottingham, has been called ‘one of Britain’s all-time great high altitude mountaineers’ having climbed the highest peak on each of all seven continents; ‘the Seven Summits’.
In 1975 Doug was the first Briton, along with Dougal Haston, to climb the South West Face of Everest.
In 1977, while descending the summit Baintha Brakk in Pakistan, a peak known as The Ogre, Doug broke both his legs at the ankle and had to crawl on his hands and knees to safety. Sheer determination, willpower and team work eventually saw him returned to base camp. The experience didn’t stop Doug who continued to climb and inspire others by sharing his experiences.
During Doug’s climbing career, he formed strong relationships with the local people where he climbed and developed a deep understanding of their culture. He now devotes much of his time fund raising and founded the charity, Community Action Nepal, which helps poverty stricken mountain communities, whose lives were devastated following an earthquake in April 2015.
NET Head of Marketing, Jamie Swift said: “We were delighted both Rebecca and Doug accepted the honour of having trams named after them following the nominations process last year. Very soon now, we’ll have names on all our new trams and, together, they represent a virtual ‘who’s who’ of people who have made a tremendous contribution to the local area and, in some cases, far beyond.”
Councillor Jane Urquhart of Nottingham City Council said: “We’re very proud that these two inspiring people, who were born in Nottinghamshire, have had trams named in their honour.
“Rebecca is one of Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympians and a true ambassador for women in sport.
“Doug Scott has explored some of the world’s most breathtaking areas, which very few people get see. His ambition, strength and mental determination to succeed have led to great achievements. Forty years after his ascent of Everest, his achievements continue to be recognised and admired, and will do for many years to come.
“It’s only fitting that both names will travel on Nottingham’s extended tram network alongside other local notables including Sir Peter Mansfield, Carl Froch and Sir Jesse Boot.”
Due to work commitments, both Rebecca and Doug couldn’t be present for the unveiling of the names which took place at the Wilkinson Street Tram Depot on Wednesday 27 April.
The names are the latest additions to the fleet which have been announced by NET. The final tram name will be revealed in the coming weeks.