Croydon’s first Olympic hero has had a street named in his honour.
Paul Nihill today attended the unveiling of Nihill Place, a road on a new Addiscombe housing development just metres from where he grew up.
The street, on Penhurst Square estate, has been christened after him to recognise his silver medal at the 1964 Toyko games.
The second-place finish in the 50km road race, made him the borough’s first Olympic medallist.
Mr Nihill, 76, was raised in nearby Grant Road and was pupil at Davidson Primary School.
He said: “It is a great honour to be recognised with such a permanent accolade.
“I’ve always been proud to have been raised in Croydon, and actually lived just round the corner from Penhurst Square.
“Watching the Olympics in London four years ago and in Rio this summer is very exciting, and brings back lots of memories.
Mr Nihill competed in three Olympic games before hanging up his walking shoes in 2013.
The unveiling of the road name was timed to coincide with Mr Nihill’s protégé, Dominic King, competing in 50km walking race at the Rio Olympics today.
Paul Nihill, right, meets Cllr Pat Ryan and Mayor of Croydon Wayne Trakas-Lawlor
Cllr Pat Ryan, councillor for Upper Norwood, who lived on the same road as Mr Nihill at the time of the 1964 Olympics, said he fondly remembered watching the race walker’s triumph.
He added: “I can recall joining in with all the other people who lived in Whitworth Road, South Norwood, and giving him a big welcome home from Tokyo.”
Wayne Trakas-Lawlor, mayor of Croydon, said: “This is a great tribute to Croydon’s sporting history, especially as the 2016 Olympic Games are currently being competed in Rio.
“Paul Nihill is a very deserving recipient of this honour and it’s fantastic that over the years he has given up so much of his time to encourage others to follow in his – very fast – footsteps.”
The road will be on a new housing estate, scheduled to be finished this year, that is being built by developer Bellway.
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