{"id":2786,"date":"2014-02-25T03:15:31","date_gmt":"2014-02-25T11:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=2786"},"modified":"2014-02-25T03:15:31","modified_gmt":"2014-02-25T11:15:31","slug":"canadian-athletes-show-off-medals-as-they-return-home-from-sochi-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2014\/02\/25\/canadian-athletes-show-off-medals-as-they-return-home-from-sochi-olympics\/","title":{"rendered":"Canadian athletes show off medals as they return home from Sochi Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Photo: Facebook Page of Dara Howell<\/p>\n

TORONTO – There were hugs, cheers and even some tears as a number of Canadian Olympians stepped back onto home soil Monday after an exhilarating two weeks of competition at the Sochi Games.<\/p>\n

Medallists Dara Howell and Mike Riddle were among the athletes greeted by a wave of applause and a wall of flashing cameras as they arrived at Pearson International Airport.<\/p>\n

Howell, who won gold in women’s slopestyle skiing in the sport’s Olympic debut, said it felt wonderful to be home.<\/p>\n

“I’m so excited to be back here,” she said while sporting her medal around her neck \u2014 one 25 medals and 10 gold won by Canadian athletes. “Overall it was such a great experience and Canada did amazing.”<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old said her thrilling time in Sochi, Russia marked only the beginning of her career.<\/p>\n

“This is just the start for me,” she said. “I just want to keep going and having as much fun as possible. We’ll see where I end up.”<\/p>\n

The Huntsville, Ont., native was met by her parents, grandparents and various other family members, many of whom were hoisting congratulatory signs.<\/p>\n

“I think the tears could start quite soon,” Howell said while looking over at her waiting family. “They supported me from the start and I’m so happy that they’re here.”<\/p>\n

Howell’s parents said their daughter deserved every bit of praise that was being sent her way.<\/p>\n

“She wanted this,” said father Doug Howell. “She worked for four years to get to this point, so it’s awesome.”<\/p>\n

Grandfather Ken Raven said watching Dara Howell compete had been a nerve-wracking but incredibly exciting experience.<\/p>\n

“It was just total bedlam at the ski club,” he said. “But she’s doing well, she worked hard and she’s earned it.”<\/p>\n

Raven said he was now looking forward to spending some quality time on the ski hill with his medal-winning granddaughter.<\/p>\n

“She skis with her grandfather every two or three runs and then she goes off with the rest of the kids,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m just so proud of her.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile Riddle, who won the silver medal in the men’s ski halfpipe, was overwhelmed by the throng of media and onlookers waiting to greet returning athletes.<\/p>\n

“I was not expecting such a big welcoming party,” said Riddle, who was heading on to Vancouver. “It’s been a long trip and to come home to fans and Canadians and see all this is pretty cool.”<\/p>\n

The native of Sherwood Park, Alta., said the Winter Games had been a great experience, but its completion had brought a degree of relief.<\/p>\n

“It’s been such a long time coming and building up to it \u2014 to be done, it takes a weight off my shoulders,” he said. “Especially having done well I can just have no regrets and I’m feeling really, really good moving forward.”<\/p>\n

Riddle said he planned to spend some time skiing in Whistler, B.C., before heading back to Europe in mid-March for more competitive events.<\/p>\n

“I’m going to keep skiing and keep doing my best.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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