South Australia’s Commonwealth Games athletes welcomed home

COMMONWEALTH Games heroes Kyle Chalmers and Jess Trengove have paid tribute to the support which inspired their medal-winning efforts, as SA’s athletes are welcomed home.

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COMMONWEALTH Games heroes Kyle Chalmers and Jess Trengove have paid tribute to the home support which inspired their medal-winning efforts.

The pair were among 20 South Australian athletes, who gathered with local fans to celebrate their Games triumphs in Rundle Mall on Tuesday.

Thousands of people greeted the Croweaters who won 38 of Australia’s 198 medals on the Gold Coast in April.

Swimming star Chalmers was the undoubted crowd favourite, after claiming four golds and one silver from his five events.

The Olympic 100m freestyle champion appreciated the warm welcome.

“I love being home,” Chalmers, 19, said.

“It was awesome competing on home soil, but coming back to Adelaide where I spend the majority of my time is great.

“Being back with friends and family and coming home to a reception like this is awesome.”

Chalmers entered the Games widely tipped for a clean sweep.

He said he relished the additional expectation, despite narrowly missing gold in his 100m pet event.

“I actually really enjoyed it,” the Marion Swimming Club superfish said.

“Before my finals I made sure I walked out and had a look at the crowd and tried to pick out my family members, just so I did feel that pressure.

“I think I was able to use it to my advantage, which was really good.”

SA athletes contributed 23 of Australia’s 80 gold medals on the Gold Coast.

Marathon runner Trengove emerged from a talented women’s field with her second-straight Commonwealth Games bronze.

“It’s amazing,” said Trengove, of the welcome home.

“Just being able to meet and greet all of those people who were behind us while we were away at the Games.

“We really did feel their support, so it’s so nice to have that opportunity.

“It’s really buzzing here in the mall and it’s really nice to see our teammates again too.”

Trengove, who finished 22nd at the 2016 Rio Olympics, said she would cherish the experience of competing in a home Games.

“I feel so grateful in my lifetime to have had the opportunity to experience that,” she said.

“I watched the Sydney (2000) Olympics, we were there, and at the Melbourne (2006) Commonwealth Games.

“I didn’t for see myself representing Australia in the future, let alone on home soil, so it will be a highlight of my life that Games.”