Betty aged 96 'so proud' of Olympic gold medal winning grandniece

Team GB's Olympic swimmer Anna Hopkin was cheered on to victory by her 96-year-old relative Betty Thomas.

Betty Thomas watched the Olympics final of the mixed 100m medley relay at Anchor Clayburn Court care home to see her grandniece Anna Hopkin victoriously claim a gold medal.

The race, which was being swam for the first time at the Olympic games involved two men and two women each completing two lengths of the pool in backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.

Anna Hopkin and her teammates Adam Peaty, Kathleen Dawson and James Guy won the gold and secured a world record time of three minutes and 37.58 seconds.

Her win helped Team GB have its most successful ever games in the pool.

Betty: 'I'm over the moon'

Betty Thomas said she was "over the moon" and very proud.

A spokeswoman for Clayburn Court care home said: "The Clayburn Court team would like to to celebrate the success of the GB swimming team at the Olympics and, in particular, Anna Hopkin.

"Anna is resident Betty’s grand-niece (her brother’s son’s daughter). She swam the final leg of the mixed 100m medley relay final this morning which saw the team win gold!

"She and the team are all over the news at the moment and we’re very proud."

Inspired by Tokyo’s 2021 Olympics, care home residents across the UK have been bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals in discus, javelin and new sports like balloon volleyball and nerf-gun shooting.

Competitors aged as old as 90 from Langdon House care home in Cambridge have been taking part in sports such as hug-a-balloon relay, balloon volleyball, balloon basketball, balloon tennis, shotput and javelin.

Clare Robinson, manager of CHS Group’s Langdon House, said: “Staff and residents have loved getting involved in our very own Olympics over the past couple of weeks. Our team at Langdon House is always looking for new ways to keep residents entertained and active – and the games definitely helped to bring out everyone’s competitive side too.”

Ivy: 'I’ve never shot a nerf gun before, what fun!'

Not to be outdone, a resident at Cedar Lodge care home in Frimley Green led an Olympic opening ceremony procession into the garden holding a special Olympic flame. The discus, javelin, shotput, archery and nerf-gun shooting events saw residents compete for medals.

Ivy, a resident at Cedar Lodge, joked: “I’ve never shot a nerf gun before, what fun… I must get one for my grandson.”

Fellow resident Gail said: “When I was in the army, I enjoyed archery a lot. It’s been lovely to give it another go in a fun way."

Residents at Fenchurch House Care Home in Spalding Common have competed in Boccia, bop-fit and artistic swimming.

Their Olympic Opening Ceremony began with afternoon tea and the passing of an Olympic torch.

Meanwhile, residents at HC-One’s Winters Park care home in Penrith have been making Olympic rings and torches and have become awe-struck by the different games in Tokyo.

“My favourite Olympic sport is the synchronised swimming as I find it amazing how long these people can hold their breath”, said one resident.

Ribbon curling and beanbag throwing

As Great Britain racks up the medals at Tokyo 2020, back home another team is also competing for podium success, with residents living at Belong Warrington care village enjoying a bit of friendly competition.

Belong Warrington care home’s games have been designed specifically for those living with dementia in-mind. Highlights include ribbon curling, beanbag throwing and a ring toss. In the care home’s gym, residents travel the world cycling via a screen linked to the equipment.

Jade Shield, experience day support worker at Belong Warrington, said: “It's safe to say we’ve reached Olympic fever pitch.”

Getting into the spirit of the games has also reignited memories, with residents sharing anecdotes of personal sporting success in their youth and their favourite tales of Olympics from years gone by – with some even recalling London 1948.

Jade Shield added: “Residents have responded very positively to the event; the light exercise, crafts activities and camaraderie has kept everyone active and now it’s time to cheer on the athletes over in Tokyo.”

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