homecoming heroes: Thousands turn out to pay tribute to Olympics winners

Olympic gold winning triathlete Alistair Brownlee and his bronze-medallist brother Jonny celebrate at Millennium Square in their home city of Leeds.

They were joined by thousands of people who turned out to see the brothers, and cyclist Lizzie Armitstead, from Otley, who won silver, as well as members of TeamGB’s diving squad, including Jack Laugher, Alicia Blagg, Hannah Starling and Sarah Barrow, and weightlifters Gareth Evans and Jack Oliver.

Boxing gold medallist Nicola Adams did not attend but had recorded a special message.

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Jonathan Brownlee described the welcome as “absolutely incredible” adding: “We didn’t realise how much it would affect people back home. We come back here and see how exciting it is, it’s absolutely amazing.”

Many of the fans had arrived in the city centre hours before the event to guarantee themselves a spot. Among them was Olympics volunteer Kathryn Royle, from Bradford, who was still wearing her 2012 uniform.

“It’s my first day back from the Olympics, I couldn’t miss it,” she said. “I’m very proud of being from Yorkshire.”

Olympics round-up Page 4.

Picture:Simon Hulme.