Olympic Gold in Cumbria

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The 1908 Gold Medal Credit: ITV Border

Henry Taylor won three gold medals at the 1908 London Olympics. For a hundred years he was Britain's most successful Olympian , his achievement was only matched in Beijing in 2008 by Sir Chris Hoy. Henry's medal is now on display at Muncaster castle in Cumbria.

The medal Credit: ITV Border

The owners of Muncaster castle are excitied to be able to have the medal on display:

Peter Frost-Pennington Credit: ITV Border

The medal has been loaned by Alan Foster....his father was a good friend of Henry Taylor's, his daughter Ann works at the castle. He told ITV Border:

Alan Foster Credit: ITV Border

Up until 1939 sportsmen and women in Britain received little in the way of financial support. Henry Taylor used to pawn his medals, prizes and trophies - but he had good friends who would redeem them and give them back to Henry for next time. He died penniless and relatively unknown in 1951 - but as one of Britain's best ever Olympians, it's good to know his legend lives on.

Henry Taylor Credit: ITV Border