Our athletes achieved historic feats at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and were given the welcome home they deserved at the Team GB Heroes’ Parade in Manchester on Monday afternoon.
Around 200,000 Team GB fans braved the rain as they took to the streets of Manchester, wearing gold hats and waving flags along the parade route to celebrate the record-breaking accomplishments in Brazil earlier this summer.
The procession saw 280 Olympians and Paralympians start on floats at the Museum of Science and Industry before making their way through the heart of the city, loudly cheered every inch of the way, and ending in Albert Square. Check out our Day in Pictures from the Manchester Heroes' Parade here
And gymnast Max Whitlock – who won two gold medals and one bronze in Rio – couldn’t quite believe the number of fans on hand.
“To be honest the weather didn’t matter,” said Whitlock. “The amount of people that turned up with this rain is just crazy, so thank you to everyone for all of your support.
“Inspiring the next generation is one thing that I really want to do. It’s one thing seeing people on TV but it’s another thing to see them in person. Hopefully the parade will help inspire people in person.”
Rebecca Ferguson and the Kaiser Chiefs entertained the crowds in Albert Square at the end of the parade as all the athletes gathered on stage.
Team GB had the most successful Olympic Games since 1908 with 67 medals brought home, 27 of them gold.
And taekwondo gold medallist Jade Jones was excited to see supporters of all ages lining the Manchester streets.
“It’s an amazing experience,” said Jones. “Even though it’s raining so many people came out to see us.
“It’s just so special to see all the old people and even the young kids coming out to wave us. To experience something like this is why I train every day.
“When it was raining I thought ‘no-one’s going to come’ but there were thousands of people lining the streets and they’re all so enthusiastic – it’s just amazing.”
The parade was the perfect opportunity for thousands of Team GB supporters to see their heroes close up but it wasn’t just the fans who were star-struck.
“To come out and see all the big famous athletes, like the Brownlee brothers here right next to me, it’s awesome,” enthused taekwondo silver medallist Lutalo Muhammad.
“I absolutely love it. I feel like I should get my autograph book when I see these guys!”
As home to the national centres for a number of sport – including cycling and taekwondo – Manchester was the perfect city to host the Heroes’ Parade.
A number of our stars also grew up in the area and one of those, hockey gold medallist Kate Richardson-Walsh, says that made the day all the more special.
“To come back home to Manchester, to see everyone out on the streets has been a rare opportunity to say thank you,” she explained.
“All of these people support us and without them we wouldn’t have been able to stand on top of that podium.
“I wouldn’t be here without all the people that supported me: Didsbury Greys – my very first club – I saw them all dotted around on the road and it was just brilliant to say thank you to everybody.
“Everybody who’s bought a National Lottery ticket has supported us in reaching our dream so thank you.”
Tuesday sees another celebration event in London, with the Heroes’ Return set to take place in Trafalgar Square.
Sportsbeat 2016