Almost all of Luyksgestel gathered in café De Drie Linden on Sunday afternoon to watch ‘their’ Harrie race. The tension in the renamed Harrie Lavreysen café was palpable, but ‘Hattrick Harrie’ still managed to live up to his name. “Harrie! Harrie! Harrie!”, the deafening cheers sounded at the moment he won his third gold medal.
Right up front, a man is enthusiastically ready in a Harrie Lavreysen shirt. He managed to secure a spot early. “I’ve sat here for every Harrie match, and he’s won them all!”, he says enthusiastically from his ‘lucky chair’. “I think we’re more nervous than Harrie himself, he stays cool about it.”
The excited buzz quickly turns as the athletes prepare for the keirin. The starting shot sounds, and a deathly silence falls in the Harrie Lavreysen café. This is only broken when Lavreysen crosses the finish line first. The entire café cheers in unison. “My day can’t be ruined anymore!” says the man in his Harrie shirt.
READ ALSO: Lavreysen does it: Olympic hat trick complete with gold in the keirin
Meanwhile, many fans watch with watery eyes as ‘their’ Harrie celebrates his third gold medal in ecstasy. “Of course it’s emotional,” says a man beaming. He is sitting in the café with his wife and children. “The whole of Luyksgestel is with us. We all cycle in our family and when you see what he is achieving here. Really great!”
“My hat brought good luck after all!”
Harrie’s neighbour across the street is overjoyed. “I’m so proud!” she shouts at the top of her lungs. She has put on an orange hat, the hat from Luyksgestel, just like the mother of ‘Hattrick Harrie’. “My hat brought good luck!” she says happily.
According to the bartender, there will be a tribute for the athlete on Thursday. That was supposed to take place after his first gold medal, but according to the bartender, it’s already going all out. “One gold was enough, but three is more than deserved!”, he says.
The tribute will be celebrated at the kiosk after a tour through the village. “Everyone is participating, the BMX club De Durtrappers and the harmony will be there. There will be a DJ and a singer. We will make it a whole festival!”
