Nova Scotian Olympians return home to warm welcome
Posted Aug 14, 2012 07:07:35 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia’s Olympians are back on home soil again today.
Seven local athletes were greeted by hundreds of fans at Halifax Stanfield International Airport Monday evening after competing in the London games over the last two weeks.
Halifax gymnast Ellie Black was a member of the Canadian team that placed a surprising fifth in the team event – Canada’s best finish ever.
Black had tears in her eyes as the crowd chanted her name at the airport. She tells Global News it’s the perfect ending to her Olympic journey.
“It’s amazing,” Black said. “Everyone’s here supporting me and I just, I love it and I’m so grateful to everyone for coming out and welcoming me home so thank you so much.”
North Preston Boxer Custio Clayton got a medal from his family, after a controversial judging decision eliminated him from the medal rounds in London.
He says the big welcome at the airport made it clear that everyone believes in him.
“I’m just happy that I made Canada and Nova Scotia proud,” Clayton told Global News. “I’m happy to be from Canada right now and I’m happy to see everyone behind me right now.”
About 300 people were waiting for paddler Mark De Jonge, who won bronze in the K-1 200 metres. He says he was overwhelmed by the hero’s welcome.
“Amazing! It’s such a great feeling,” he said. “I was pretty tired all day, we had a late night last night and I knew I was coming home to something like this but I never expected it to be this big.”
Fellow paddler Jason McCoombs also got a hero’s welcome Monday, as did runners Geoff Harris and Jenna Martin, and sailor Danielle Dube.
