Video: Huge crowd hails Leeds medal winners

A massive crowd packed into Millennium Square to salute the Loiners who helped light up London 2012.

Stars on show included Bramhope brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, who won gold and bronze, respectively, in the triathlon at the Games.

Also in attendance was cycling silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead, from Otley.

Other athletes enjoying the limelight included divers Alicia Blagg, Hannah Starling, Jack Laugher and Sarah Barrow as well as Leeds-based weightlifters Jack Oliver and Gareth Evans.

And although boxing gold medallist Nicola Adams was unable to make it, nothing could take the shine off the occasion for the flag-waving crowd or the VIP guests.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post before going on stage, triathlon star Alistair said: “It’s absolutely phenomenal to see so many people here.

“It’s fantastic to be back in Yorkshire as well.”

Brother Jonny added: “We didn’t realise the homecoming would be this big – it makes me feel really proud.”

Road racer Armitstead said the Olympics had been the most special experience of her life, 
but she was pleased to be 
home.

“I’m more tired now than I’ve been all season but I’m just trying to soak up the atmosphere and just looking forward to being at home for a week, being with friends and family.”

Thanking the supporters, she added: “It’s a humbling experience. This turnout proves just how much Leeds and Yorkshire love sport.”

Flyweight fight queen Adams recorded a video message that was played on Millennium Square’s big screen.

In it she told the crowd: “I would just like to say thank you for all the support you have given me, it really spurred me on. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Lord Mayor of Leeds Coun 
Ann Castle hosted a reception for the athletes and their 
families in Leeds Civic Hall 
after the Millennium Square event.

She said: “It’s great to be able to welcome the athletes back to the city of Leeds, and see so many proud people cheering them on.

“We are immensely proud of all our athletes and they have truly inspired the city, from our youngsters right through the generations.

“I would like to thank the athletes for taking the time to come back to the city and show off their medals and also to the crowds who turned up to make this a very special occasion.”

Cheering fans included Donna Shoesmith-Evans, from Adel, and her 10-year-old son James, a pupil at Apperley Bridge’s Brontë House School.

Ms Shoesmith-Evans said: “There was no way we were going to miss this, not after everything the athletes have achieved.”

Earlier, the Brownlees had been given a taste of a rock star’s lifestyle as they flew from London to Leeds by helicopter.

Their flight passed over familiar sporting landmarks such as Silverstone and Leeds United’s Elland Road ground during the hour-long trip to Leeds Bradford International Airport.

It was provided by private aviation firm Multiflight, which has a base at Leeds Bradford.

A spokeswoman for the company said: “They were greeted by quite a crowd of people when they touched down. Alistair and Jonny were great, taking the time to talk to everyone and sign autographs.”

Cyclist Armitstead, meanwhile, gets her own “welcome back” party in Otley tomorrow evening.

Her silver on day two of the Olympics was Team GB’s first success of London 2012, and kickstarted a Yorkshire medal rush that saw White Rose athletes clocking up more podium finishes than many countries managed to achieve.

Last night’s celebration also concluded a memorable Olympic summer in Leeds itself.

More than 200,000 people 
lined the city’s streets during 
the 2012 Torch relay’s visits in June.

Leeds also welcomed hundreds of Chinese athletes and coaches for a pre-Games training camp.