It’s party time as athletes given a heroes’ welcome
THE record-breaking success of Scotland’s Olympic and Paralympic stars has been celebrated with a homecoming party.
Dozens of athletes were cheered by children and mobbed for selfies as they arrived at Oriam, the new sports performance centre at HeriotWatt University in Edinburgh.
The homecoming event included a Q&A and an opportunity for young people to try Olympic sports such as rowing, judo and tennis, aided by tips from the athletes.
Wheelchair tennis star Gordon Reid proudly showed off his gold and silver medals from Rio 2016 at Oriam.
He said: “It’s been pretty crazy since I got back, the reception has been incredible.
“To be able to come back and share the success is nice and to see so many kids here is great.
“Hopefully the chance to see a gold or silver medal and maybe try it on will inspire them to go and do the same in the future. Days like this are really important.”
Rio 2016 was Scotland’s most successful overseas Olympics, with Scottish competitors securing 13 medals – four gold, seven silver and two bronze.
Scots athletes on the Paralympics GB team won 17 medals, surpassing their London 2012 total of 11.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the athletes had “done their country proud”.