Monday, August 30, 2004
dailyrecord - OLYMPICS 2004: HAUL BACK HOMEOLYMPICS 2004: HAUL BACK HOME Aug 31 2004
Heroes' welcome for Olympic medal stars
By Karen Bale
HUNDREDS of cheering fans gave Britain's triumphant Olympics stars a heroes' welcome home yesterday.
Supporters packed Gatwick Airport to greet the team as they flew in from Athens after their best Olympics performance for 20 years.
Double gold medal winner Kelly Holmes led the athletes into the airport terminal to chants from the crowd of: 'Kelly, Kelly, Kelly'.
Teenage boxing sensation Amir Khan, who brought home a silver medal, got pop-star treatment, with young girls screaming his name and clamouring for his autograph.
As Kelly led Team GB through the crowds, she proudly held up her medals before an emotional welcome home from her mother Pam Thomson, 53.
The 34-year-old, who powered to victory in the 800m and 1500m races, said: 'I can't believe how many people have turned out. It's incredible.'
Rowing champion Matthew Pinsent, the gold-medal winning men's 4x100m relay team and 17-year-old Khan got rapturous applause.
Khan said: 'It's great to be home.'
Pinsent added: 'It feels fantastic to be a British sporting success story. The proudest moment in all our lives is pulling on that GB vest or this tracksuit with the Union Jacks and Olympic rings in it.'
Darren Campbell, part of the victorious relay team, said: 'This reception is amazing.'
A total of 43 Team GB athletes scooped nine golds, nine silver and 12 bronze medals.
Among the crowd were the parents of sailor Sarah Ayton, who scooped Britain's first gold medal of the games.
Mum Coleen, 54, said: 'We were just so proud. We can't wait to welcome her home.'
More than 270 members of the squad flew into the UK on a chartered jet.
Fan Simon Smith, 46, from Brighton, said: 'What these guys have done is amazing. They have pulled off something incredible and I wanted to say, 'well done'.'
Simon Clegg, chief executive of the British Olympics Association, praised the most successful team performance since the games in Paris in 1924.
He said: 'It's mission accomplished. It was a great, great British team performance.'
Heroes' welcome for Olympic medal stars
By Karen Bale
HUNDREDS of cheering fans gave Britain's triumphant Olympics stars a heroes' welcome home yesterday.
Supporters packed Gatwick Airport to greet the team as they flew in from Athens after their best Olympics performance for 20 years.
Double gold medal winner Kelly Holmes led the athletes into the airport terminal to chants from the crowd of: 'Kelly, Kelly, Kelly'.
Teenage boxing sensation Amir Khan, who brought home a silver medal, got pop-star treatment, with young girls screaming his name and clamouring for his autograph.
As Kelly led Team GB through the crowds, she proudly held up her medals before an emotional welcome home from her mother Pam Thomson, 53.
The 34-year-old, who powered to victory in the 800m and 1500m races, said: 'I can't believe how many people have turned out. It's incredible.'
Rowing champion Matthew Pinsent, the gold-medal winning men's 4x100m relay team and 17-year-old Khan got rapturous applause.
Khan said: 'It's great to be home.'
Pinsent added: 'It feels fantastic to be a British sporting success story. The proudest moment in all our lives is pulling on that GB vest or this tracksuit with the Union Jacks and Olympic rings in it.'
Darren Campbell, part of the victorious relay team, said: 'This reception is amazing.'
A total of 43 Team GB athletes scooped nine golds, nine silver and 12 bronze medals.
Among the crowd were the parents of sailor Sarah Ayton, who scooped Britain's first gold medal of the games.
Mum Coleen, 54, said: 'We were just so proud. We can't wait to welcome her home.'
More than 270 members of the squad flew into the UK on a chartered jet.
Fan Simon Smith, 46, from Brighton, said: 'What these guys have done is amazing. They have pulled off something incredible and I wanted to say, 'well done'.'
Simon Clegg, chief executive of the British Olympics Association, praised the most successful team performance since the games in Paris in 1924.
He said: 'It's mission accomplished. It was a great, great British team performance.'
