THE TOAST OF THE NATION OUR SPORTING HEROES

They are Britain’s new stars, who have put their hearts and souls into winning gold, silver and bronze medals for Team GB at this year’s Olympic Games. Following a gruelling two weeks that saw some impressive performances in searing heat, our Olympians proved they were, once again, among the best in the world, racing up the medal table and into the nation’s hearts. From gymnast Max Whitlock successfully defending his title to diver Tom Daley knitting woolly creations at the side of the swimming pool, we take a look at some of the highlights of Tokyo

In a moment that no doubt matched stepping on top of the Olympic winners’ podium, 28-yearold Max Whitlock received a fitting welcome when he arrived back at Heathrow with his gold medal around his neck. Not only was wife Leah waiting to proudly greet him, their two-year-old daughter Willow delightedly ran into his arms (all below right).

“What an amazing surprise,” he said. “My family kept it a secret so I didn’t think they were meeting me at the airport.”

Max defended his title in the men’s pommel horse, taking his total Olympic medal tally to six – three gold and three bronze – making him Britain’s most successful gymnast in history.

MAX WHITLOCK

HANNAH MILLS, EILIDH McINTYRE, GILES SCOTT, DYLAN FLETCHER AND STUART BITHELL

Our sailors enjoyed a very successful Games, with Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre winning the women’s 470 gold (below far right), Giles Scott triumphing in the men’s Finn class (below right) and Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell snatching victory in the men’s 49er by mere inches.

After their win, Hannah, 33, is now the most successful female sailor in Olympic history, while 27-year-old Eilidh’s medal follows that of her father, Mike, who won star keelboat gold at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Welsh- born Hannah said afterwards: “We put everything we are into this and it’s a massive relief. There have been so many incredible female sailors, so to be up there doesn’t feel real.”

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Giles had to recover from a mistake to take gold in dramatic fashion, while former child actor Dylan, 33, and his partner Stuart, 34, triumphed over Germany in a thrilling battle to the finish.

JASON AND LAURA KENNY

After already winning fans with her sunny personality from the 2012 London Olympics onwards, Laura Kenny cemented her hero status last week when she claimed victory in the inaugural women’s madison race (below, with team-mate Katie Archibald).

The 29-year-old cyclist became the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympics and is the most successful female cyclist in the history of the Games. “It’s unbelievable. I’m just so glad,” she said. “I’ve never wanted to win a race so badly in my life. It was giving me fears like never before. But we went and did it.”

Meanwhile, her husband Jason, 33, claimed a silver in the team sprint final, making him the most decorated British Olympian of all time with eight medals (below left sharing medal joy with Laura after her silver in the team pursuit).

CHARLOTTE WORTHINGTON

With a hugely impressive 360- degree backflip, Charlotte Worthington landed gold in the BMX freestyle finals – one of four medals taken home by Team GB in the events.

The 25-year-old cyclist from Chorlton, Manchester, became the first woman to execute the move during the Games and obliterated her rivals to stand triumphant with her winner’s prize (below).

“I think i t ’ s been gold medal or nothing this whole journey,” she said. “I think as soon as we set the goal of gold medal, it’s go big or go home. It was incredible.”

DINA ASHER-SMITH

Joy followed heartbreak for sprinter Dina Asher-Smith when she helped bring home a bronze in the 4x100m relay after having to pull out of her individual events due to injury. And her happiness was clear as the 25-year-old runner (above, second from right) joined team-mates ( from left) Asha Philip, Daryll Neita and Imani- Lara Lansiquot for a victory photo. The men’s 4x100m relay team then went one better, finishing 0.01secs behind Italy to take silver. Keely Hodgkinson kicked off Team GB’s track medals with second place in the 800m and it was silver, too, for Laura Muir in the 1,500m – “I’m overblown,” she said.

KATE FRENCH

A brilliant series of performances saw Kate French become Team GB’s Olympic modern pentathlon champion after completing four laps of an 800m circuit, stopping to hit a target five times with a pistol at the end of each one.

It was a stunning finale for the 30-year-old athlete (above), who also had to compete in fencing, swimming and showjumping.

“I actually don’t know what to say, I can’t really believe it right now,” she said. “I knew I could do it if I focused on my shooting and just ran as fast as I could. I could hear the team cheering me on and I can’t thank everyone back home enough for all their support.”

BEN MAHER

Two weeks before he walks down the aisle, 38-year-old Ben Maher (below) was celebrating with a gold in the individual showjumping event – the second individual jumping gold for Team GB since Nick Skelton claimed victory at Rio 2016.

Now Ben, who also took team gold at London 2012, is looking forward to marrying fiancée Sophie Gracida at their home in Hertfordshire this month.

“I don’t know what was more pressure – this or getting married in a fortnight,” he said. “There are so many people who’ve contributed to make this possible and hopefully, we’ll have a big celebration.”

SKY BROWN

She turned 13 last month and Sky Brown is now Team GB’s youngest ever Olympic medallist following a breathtaking performance that saw her win bronze in the women’s park skateboarding event.

Making her feat even more remarkable, the teenager had come back from a horrific fall last year that left her with a fractured skull and broken wrist and arm.

Beaming with delight after the final, Sky, who was born in Miyazaki, Japan, to a Japanese mother and British father, said: “This is incredible. It feels unreal. I’m so happy to be here. I’m blessed. All the girls are ripping it. It was insane. It was a super-sick final.”

TOM DALEY

In the true spirit of Team GB, Olympic diving champion Tom Daley was back poolside last week, cheering on the rest of the swimmers inside the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

But in between the action, he was showing off his winning ways with knitting needles, running up a doggy jumper similar to one he made for a friend’s pet pooch (below centre). He also created a striking “Team GB” cardigan featuring logos including the Olympic rings (below left and right).

Tom, 27, is using his yarn skills as a fundraiser in memory of his father Robert, who died of brain cancer in 2011. “I wanted to take the opportunity to try and raise some money for the @thebraintumourcharity in memory of my Dad,” he wrote on Instagram. “Any donations would be greatly appreciated.”