Olympic skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold admitted she had been blown away by the welcome given to her during her open top bus parade, insisting her gold medal won in Sochi was for everyone.
The 25-year-old helped Team GB equal their best ever medal haul since 1924 when she stormed to victory in the skeleton at the Sanki Sliding Center last month.
In doing so she became one of only ten gold medallists in British Winter Olympic history with her achievements recognised when she was chosen to be her nation’s flagbearer at the closing ceremony.
While the celebrations have been ongoing for the past few weeks Yarnold, who also secured the World Cup title this season, was given an official hero’s welcome through her home village of West Kingsdown, near Sevenoaks, on Friday.
Hundreds of people, young and old, took to the streets to cheer Yarnold, who was quick to thank her supporters.
“It just takes your breath away because so many people are here and shouting my name,” she said.
"That makes it for me. I don't want to sit at home polishing the medal at night.
"It's about going out and meeting people and showing them that they can achieve their dreams as well. The best thing is seeing people like you because I know how much it means to everyone else.
"The gold medal was not just for me it was for everyone."
© Sportsbeat 2014