'Magical' moments as Aussie Olympic heroes return home to crowds of supporters
Updated . First published at
Australia's Olympic heroes touched down back home to a warm welcome on Wednesday morning.
Nine's Today show was live at Sydney Airport where 15 medal winners landed on a Qantas flight just after 7am AEST.
The plane was adorned with green and gold writing, reading "Go Australia" on its side.
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A crowd of hundreds was gathered and when the plane doors finally opened about 7.30am it was sailor Matt Wearn and swimmer Kaylee McKeown - who both won gold and carried the flag at the closing ceremony - who stepped off first.
Jess Fox waves to the crowd at Sydney airport. Nine
Gold medal winners Jess and Noemie embrace their father Richard in Sydney. Nine
McKeown was embraced by her family, and then Today host Sarah Abo. Ariarne Titmus and her parents were in tears after being reunited.
"Just really enjoy all of this at home now," Titmus told Today of her next plans.
"I think the country just revels in the Olympic experience. So (I'll) enjoy that. Forget about something for a while and just spend some time with my friends and family."
Swimming superstar Ariarne Titmus embraces her parents in Sydney. Nine
Swimming superstar Ariarne Titmus embraces her parents in Sydney. Nine
Titmus was later brought to tears on the Today stage.
She was surprised by close friend Abbey Badcock, who she hadn't seen in about two years and who recently got engaged.
"How did you guys keep this a secret?" Titmus asked her parents.
"I haven't seen Abbs in how long? Like a couple years.
"She's stuck down in Tassie, so I don't get to see her often because of training. But oh my god, this is so cool. Look at you."
Ariarne Titmus embraces her friend Abbey Badcock. Nine
Paris was Australia's most successful Summer Games in history thanks to 18 gold medals among the haul of 53 in total.
"It was just magical. Paris was magical. Our athletes were incredible," retired Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney told Today.
"But really I need to tell you, this is enormous because I came home on the charter flight in 2004 after the Athens Olympics, and back then there wasn't social media or anything like that. You didn't understand the enormity of what you had done or what it meant to be an Aussie at that point, until you landed on this charter flight.
All 53 of Australia's incredible medal victories at Paris Olympics 2024
All 53 of Australia's incredible medal victories at Paris Olympics 2024
"So for these athletes, this is just going to blow their minds.
"Seeing their family, their friends, everyone that's here to support them after what they've done, it's just going to be magical. It was monumental."
Among the athletes in Sydney was Australia's youngest-ever Olympic medallist Arisa Trew.
The 14-year-old won gold in the skateboarding and was beaming when speaking to Today.
Australia's youngest Olympic medallist Arisa Trew speaks to Today. Nine
Medal winning discus star Matt Denny embraces his wife in Sydney. Nine
"The flight was really fun. Like, I just slept and was like, talking with my friends the whole time," Trew said.
"Me and my friends are like looking through the window and we're like, well, there's a lot of people down there."
Aussie singer Jessica Mauboy welcomed the athletes home with a performance at the Qantas hangar in Sydney.
BMX gold medallist Saya Sakakibara speaks to Today. Nine
Noemie and Jess Fox speak to Today in Sydney. Nine
Jessica Mauboy welcomes the Olympians home to Sydney. Nine
The Qantas choir performed as the athletes stepped off the plane.
Special guests at the hangar included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
A selection of athletes earlier landed in Perth, including medal winners Charlie Senior (boxing) and pole vaulter Nina Kennedy.
Aussie boxer Charlie Senior and pole vaulter Nina Kennedy arrive in Perth airport. Nine
