Now they are on the last part of the journey, returning home on British Airways flight BA2016 from Rio to Heathrow.
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Britain won 67 medals at the games – the country’s biggest medal count in more than a century and two more than the remarkable haul in London four years ago, putting Team GB second in the medal table.
“It gave an immediate sense of the enormity of the achievement British athletes have posted in Rio de Janeiro”.
“I am really bloody proud of the British team”, he said. And American gymnast Simone Biles, the USA flag bearer in the closing ceremony, kicked off her Olympic run by tying the record of four gold medals in a single Games.
“Golf’s success has been endorsed by strong viewing figures throughout the world and genuine interest from enthusiastic crowds in Rio”. There was momentary concern before they appeared as the steps for them to climb down failed to work properly, causing a small delay as new ones were sought.
Britain’s rugby sevens team, which collected an unexpected silver medal, avoided an early exit after their Argentine opponents squandered a penalty kick for victory; Andy Murray, who won gold in the tennis singles, benefited when his nemesis, Novak Djokovic, crashed out in the first round.
Some of the class of 2016 will move on but this is not an ageing team.
In the last of 306 medal ceremonies, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach draped the gold around the neck of Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, victor of the men’s marathon earlier in the day.
But athletes who finished in second or third place had to settle for slightly cheaper seats and were expected to take positions in business and premium economy seats.
“To everyone associated with Team GB – well done!” “Though I have been at the athletics, I have been following the British trail of glory this past week and it has been an absolute delight”.
The British contingent collected a total of 67 medals, coming in second on the medal table behind the U.S. who won an impressive 121 medals.
“Nothing as important as this, nothing as high profile as this, nothing as prestigious or as exciting as this”.
With #goodtobeBAck emblazoned on the side of the plane and a Union Jack added after landing, Whitlock and boxer Adams – who defended her women’s flyweight gold – were the pair chosen to lead Team GB off the plane.
The jet – which will also be ferrying pole vaults, javelins, bicycles and a 6.7 metre sail back from Brazil – was loaded with 77 extra champagne bottles and treats for team members, who were offered a three-course menu.
The Prime Minister announced that the triumph in Rio will be commemorated with a parade in Manchester and a further event in London in October.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Our athletes have performed heroics in Rio and their exploits have gripped the entire nation”. “I think the nice thing about sport is it does unite people and it lifts people”.
There were old icons, new stars and much more on display during the 2016 Olympic Games.
Kudos to Andy Murray, Nicola Adams, Alistair Brownlee, Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, Mo Farah, Laura Trott, Jason Kenny… the list goes on.
His father said: “This time we stayed at home and watched the race on television with friends family and neighbours. It is lovely to see the excitement of the whole team”.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him, he will probably hug me and crush me”.
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“All in all, it was a very positive experience and I probably saw about three mosquitoes for the three weeks I was here”, Baker-Finch said with a broad grin in reference to the Zika virus problem that wasn’t as bad as feared. But is this money well spent?
