ADAM Peaty hopes Great Britain’s achievements in Rio will inspire another historic medal haul at Tokyo 2020.
Great Britain’s Olympians and Paralympians were welcomed by an estimated 6,000 fans in London following their record-breaking triumph at the Rio Games.
The event, labelled as ‘The Heroes’ Return’, was the second of their two-day celebration to toast a memorable Olympics and Paralympics which saw both British squads finish second in their respective medal table.
In Rio Team GB became the first nation to increase its medal haul following its host event as they collected 67 medals – two more than their tally at London 2012 – their best-ever haul from on overseas Olympics. Paralympics GB then returned with 147 medals, including 64 golds.
Peaty smashed his own world record to win Great Britain’s first Olympic gold of the Games in the men’s 100 metres breaststroke before claiming a silver in the 4x100m medley relay.
“Swimming has had a rough spot these past four years,” he told the crowd in Trafalgar Square.
“But thankfully we have a strong and hungry team who can inspire millions of kids around the world and that’s what it’s all about for us.
“Hopefully you can all go on and take some of that gold into your lives and that’s exactly why us Olympians and Paralympians do it.
“Hopefully we can continue to make you proud because there’s nothing like winning gold for you guys.”
Katherine Grainger, the Scot who became Great Britain’s most decorated female Olympian with a silver in the women’s double sculls with Vicky Thornley, said winning a medal in her fifth straight Olympics meant everything at the age of 40.
“It meant the world to me because it wasn’t guaranteed or even likely to get,” she said. “It wasn’t a journey you would choose as an Olympian so we were kind of against the odds so it made it sweeter to come home with a medal.
“We all felt that the London Olympics was such a special time and it inspired us all to go one better again. Each Olympics I’ve been to have been different. They (each Games) are all so special.”
Thornley, who claimed her first Olympic medal after missing out in London, said: “It’s been amazing. It took a while to sink in.”
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