KEY POINTS:
Smiles from ear to ear, flashes of gold, silver and bronze medals and a few tears marked the welcome-home reception yesterday for New Zealand's team at the Beijing Paralympics.
A roar of applause from families and supporters greeted the first glimpse of the black tracksuited-clad athletes and coaches coming through the arrival hall at Auckland Airport.
One of the biggest smiles was worn by swimmer Cameron Leslie, who won the gold medal in the 150m SM4 individual medley and set a world record.
The 18-year-old communications student from Whangarei said competing in the Games was "an awesome experience that I'd love to do again".
Leslie, who has swum competitively for eight years, has a quadruple limb deficiency.
"I was not expecting to qualify. But coach Simon Mayne knows what he's up to and we had more one-on-one time on how to pull myself through the water for minimum effort."
Leslie's girlfriend, Amber Davies, who was there to meet him, described him as "very determined, really dedicated."
His plans for the next year are to temporarily ease off his gruelling training schedule to play more wheelchair rugby - wrapped around his university studies.
Sprinter Kate Horan, who won a silver medal in her T44 200m race, said she started the race with her sights on the bronze.
"But in the last few metres I watched my medal disappear and I just could not believe it when I saw one girl slip over and then another.
"I think I was even able to pick up the pace.
"I was in the right lane; there was a bit of luck on that day."
At 33, the Wellingtonian said she was not ready to give competing away . "It was heartening that some of the girls in my race were in their 40s.
"There's always room for improvement. You can get faster."
A teammate who has also returned home motivated to improve is Auckland shooter Michael Johnson.
He went to the Games to defend a gold medal won at Athens in 2004.
"The gold put a lot of pressure on me at Beijing. I nearly missed out qualifying and I had to fight all the way, so I was rapt coming away with bronze."
The New Zealand team won 12 medals overall, including five golds, and set three world records.
Swimmer Sophie Pascoe, a triple gold medallist, has delayed her return to holiday abroad.
