Paralympics: Red-carpet reception for returning athletes

By PHILIP ENGLISH

Cheers and applause from dozens of supporters welcomed returning members of the New Zealand Paralympic team home from Athens at Auckland Airport yesterday.

Team members wheeled their way down a red carpet to be met by family, friends and dignitaries, many of whom had waited more than an hour in the arrival concourse for the heroes to emerge.

In the commotion that followed, a large welcoming banner attracted good-natured howls of protest from those behind it who found their views obscured, while medallists at the head of the team were swooped on by the media, creating a bottleneck.

"Keep moving please," airport staff urged.

One gold medallist kept moving ... to catch another flight.

Invercargill student Matt Slade moved through the crowd acknowledging well-wishers as he made his way to a domestic flight to Christchurch.

Asked if Christchurch intended putting on such a reception, the T37 200m winner smiled and replied, "I hope not, but probably."

"It's been really great," said Slade, one of 40 team members on the Singapore to Auckland flight.

The reception was bigger than the welcome home following the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, he said.

Another gold medallist, shooter Michael Johnson of Auckland, found a quiet time with friends and family after the formalities and said the welcome was overwhelming.

"Looking around it's good ... It's really appreciated," he said.

Johnson, who set a world record with his perfect shoot of 600 out of 600, said he intended having a break before trying to attract more people to the sport with the aid of his website www.shooting4disabled.com.

Chef de mission Cathy Hemsworth told the crowd, "Kia ora. It's magic to be back on New Zealand soil."

She said she was excited about Beijing in 2008.

About 4000 disabled athletes from 136 countries competed at Athens.

The New Zealand team won six gold medals, one silver and three bronze and ended up 26th on the medal table - they were 25th in Sydney.

Twenty-four team members made it to their finals, with most setting personal bests.