The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Olympic stars given
Sport: Supporters turn out as athletes touch down on home soil again
Team GB’s triumphant Olympians arrived at Heathrow singing the national anthem as their goldnosed British Airways jet touched down on home soil.
The “most talented” Team GB squad ever took selfies on board the BA2016 as the rest of the team filed out to cheers and applause.
Friends, family and wellwishers, adorned with union flags, banners and red, white and blue balloons, waited to welcome home the Olympic heroes.
The athletes were greeted with cheers, applause and screams as many supporters rushed to embrace their loved ones.
Speaking at a press conference, athletes and staff talked about the games, national pride and funding. Silver medal-winning rower Katherine Grainger said she felt the timing had been right, especially given recent political turmoil.
She said: “I think the lovely thing is that the London Games were undoubtedly embraced by the nation. I think we all felt that almost couldn’t be replicated, it couldn’t happen again, it was a once-in-alifetime moment. It has almost felt like it has been a tough year for the country, a lot has happened politically in the nation in the last few months. I think the nice thing about sport is it does unite people and it lifts people. So, yeah, I think it is the time and the place and the timing means that it is one of the best Olympics – the best sporting events we probably ever had.”
Team GB’s chef de mission Mark England paid tribute to all the athletes and described the reception in London as “overwhelming”.
World record-breaking swimmer Adam Peaty said not being intimidated by “big names” such as Michael Phelps was key to winning Britain’s first male swimming gold in 28 years. Bronze medallist Dina Asher-Smith, who watched London 2012 as a 16-yearold, said she hoped she could inspire others to get on to the athletics track.
The sprinter said being part of Team GB gave you a special confidence “when you stand at the start line” and that the support staff were the best in Rio.
Asked how important funding was, Sir Hugh Robertson, vice-chairman of the British Olympic Association, said it was “absolutely crucial”. He explained: “When we were looking at this in the runup to London 2012, I think we identified four components to Olympic success funding, structure, coaching, and the athletes themselves. The important things about the funding is not only the quantum that comes from the National Lottery and the Exchequer, but it is guaranteed for a number of cycles.”
“The timing means that it is one of the best Olympics”