Cyclist Gillian Carleton and open-water swimmer Richard Weinberger, with their Olympic bronze medals around their necks, burst through the arrival door at Victoria International Airport to cheers and clapping Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours after marching in the closing ceremonies of the 2012 London Summer Games.
Arriving later at the airport, among other Island Olympians, were silvermedallist eights rowers Andrew Byrnes and Doug Csima along with triathletes Paula Findlay and Brent McMahon.
"They said the [Olympic silver] medals are worth $355 each, but they're worth a lot more than that to us," said Byrnes.
If any of the returning Island Olympians were tired after the ceremony and long flight home, there was no hint of it. How could they be with a reception like this by friends, family and supporters?
"This means everything to me," said Weinberger, who won his bronze medal Friday in Serpentine Lake at Hyde Park in the men's open-water 10K.
"No words can describe this. This [reception] makes me want to get back training in the water right now."
His friends Derek Doerksen and Kaela Richardson held up a sign reading: "Welcome Home Rich - Olympic Medallist."
"It was surreal to see one of your best buddies on TV in the Olympics swimming to a medal," said Doerksen.
Weinberger said he did not get to the podium alone. "This medal is not just about me - It's about everyone around me. This is my home and it's an awesome place to train and study. - It's a dream come true."
Carleton, bronze medallist at the London Games velodrome in women's track team pursuit, concurred as she hugged loved ones at the airport.
"My friends and family are the reason why I ride my bike well," she said.
"It's as much their medal as mine."
Numerous young cyclists, swimmers and divers were out Monday to greet the returning Olympians. "If this medal helps me help inspire them, that's great," said Carleton.
It also inspired her fellow Olympians who didn't return from London with hardware.
"Being on the plane with Richard and Gillian was motivation for me to keep pushing and going hard to Rio [2016 Summer Games]," said returning diver Riley McCormick, a London Olympic finalist who placed 11th on Saturday.
"I did everything I can do to prepare myself. It's sometimes difficult for people to understand how hard it is to get a medal in the Summer Olympics."
The homecoming reception blew McCormick away. "I really did not expect this. It's overwhelming. I'm so happy and proud to be representing Canada."
Five-year-old supporter Ella Smith asked Carleton if she will be coming home with the gold next time.
"I'll do my best," chuckled Carleton.
Csima said it still feels like a dream. "I remember being on the podium and looking back at the 30,000 fans behind us and seeing the London logo and thinking to myself: 'Did I just win a medal at the Olympic Games? Is this happening?' It didn't feel real.' " But his medal felt real enough Monday at Victoria airport.
The London experience wasn't as happy for Findlay, whose tears in crossing the finish line 52nd in the women's triathlon were among the enduring images of the 2012 Summer Games.
"It was devastating and my confidence is shattered right now - but I believe in myself," said the former world No. 1, upon arriving at the airport.
"I'm disappointed right now but it's only been a week. I need to know mentally that I can get back there [for Rio 2016]."
The last Island Olympian to arrive home Monday night was opening ceremony flag-bearer and triathlon legend Simon Whitfield, who crashed out of the London Games with a cracked collarbone.
"I put myself in position - I went down playing. It was an incredible Olympics except for an ill-placed speed bump - I still have no skin on the bottom of my foot," said Whitfield.
He was met at the airport by a knot of well-wishers, including five-year-old Linnea Hopkins holding a sign reading "Every Olympian is a hero."
"Linnea saw the other homecomings on TV and said it's not fair and Simon needs to feel special, too," said mom Collette Hopkins. [email protected] > More Olympics, A9, C5
