Central Otago is "fizzing" at the news one of their own will bring home the district’s first Olympic gold medal.
Pride was to the fore in Alexandra yesterday among those who knew Finn Butcher as a young man growing up in the Central Otago town and even those who have never met him.
His former school teachers remembered a determined, humble student with a fierce competitive streak, while the district’s mayor and sports leaders said the win would lift the district up and had given youngsters something to aspire to.
Butcher graduated from Dunstan High School in 2012.
Dunstan High physical education teacher Alan "Bones" Hamilton, who taught Butcher, said his race had been mandatory viewing in classes yesterday.
"I’m meant to be teaching science ... well, guess what? We did kayaking."
Watching the actual race live had been an emotional ride.
"When he crossed the line ... we were so thrilled for him; what a relief."
He had earned a place on the school’s "wall of fame".
"Humility was a big thing Finn showed. He was very humble but ... put him in the starting blocks and he’s determined to do his best," Mr Hamilton said.
Fellow Dunstan High physical education teacher Keri Barnett said Butcher’s win was a gift to the community.
"He’s given something for young people to aspire to in our community ... I just couldn’t think of a better role model."
While his journey to Olympic gold had "not been without its heartache", Butcher was a determined athlete, she said.
"We are incredibly proud of an awesome man from Central Otago."
Shields, from Clyde, is part of the women's pursuit team who lit up the qualifying round overnight, setting a national record in the process.
Sport Central Community sport adviser Jo Knight hoped Butcher’s win would encourage others in the district to punch above their weight.
"If you can see it, you can be it.
"All those kids that woke up in Alexandra ... will just be fizzing [saying] ‘wow, that could be me one day’."
Up the road in Ophir, Butcher’s grandmother Val Butcher said her grandson's ambition to win had served him well.
"He has got that [competitive streak].
"He just always interested in being the best of the best."
She watched Butcher’s win on the big screen at the Ophir Peace Memorial Hall: "it was just like being there."
"I thought it was going to be a fight to the finish, but it wasn’t — he just cleared off."
There was huge excitement from Butcher’s support crew, including his parents, in Paris after his win, she said.
"You could feel it coming over the phone."
The excitement was palpable much closer to home, too.
As the Otago Daily Times stepped into Mrs Butcher’s house yesterday, a passerby shouted congratulations.
"The boy did good, Val."
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said he was "absolutely thrilled" for Butcher.
He remembered the athlete as a wee boy running around during his wedding at Orchard Gardens, the Butcher family’s garden and function centre.
"Just great local people — what a magnificent achievement."
On social media, Councillor Tamah Alley said Butcher’s win was inspirational and wondered whether Butcher’s Dam should be renamed Finn Butcher’s Dam for the week.
