South Australia’s Olympic heroes touch down at Adelaide Airport
Gate 22 at the Adelaide Airport rarely looks like this. See all the pics and videos.
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As champion cyclist, Matthew Glaetzer walked off the plane all eyes were on his gleaming pair of bronze medals proudly hanging around his neck.
Mr Glaetzer, who nearly gave up the sport altogether after to 2020 Tokyo Olympics bagged a bronze in the men’s keirin and in the men’s cycling team sprint – a fitting finale to his last Olympic campaign.
“Paris was amazing, we had a really good preparation,” Mr Glaetzer said.
“We had an awesome team, the Aussie cycling team was very young and absolutely attacked it and we had a great result.
“It was our second most successful Olympics as an Australian cycling team and I am very proud to be a part of it.”
After a long journey home, Mr Glaetzer said he was looking forward to seeing his wife Nikki and enjoying a well-deserved break.
“Its holiday time for me, I’ll tell you what, I can finally kick back and relax,” Mr Glaetzer said.
Mr Glaetzer’s keirin win went viral after he had a ‘Steven Bradbury moment’ when a crash on the final corner saw him speed into third place.
“The finish to the keirin was pretty crazy, I thought I was a goner when everyone was dying next to me and I was just trying to dodge them and survive and then I figured out I was the only one left,” Mr Glaetzer said.
“I’ve had some unfortunate times in the past so you take it when it comes your way in sport.
“What a way to finish – how good.”
The parents of fellow cyclist and bronze medallist Leigh Hoffman were among the friends and family eagerly awaiting to greet their star athletes at the airport.
“They’ve worked super hard and just seeing it all unfold was phenomenal,” said Mr Hoffman’s mum, Kristen King who travelled to Paris to cheer her son on.
“It’s just such a surreal experience … I’ll try not to cry!
“My throats still a little bit sore because I was screaming and holding up the Aussie flag.”
“It was great watching the boys do what they did and get those medals and it was great for Leigh because he ticked off a few more boxes which was really good and I think now he has cemented himself more in the side,” Mr Hoffman’s dad, Rene Hoffman added.
“I guess he can look towards the future.”
The proud parents said they are excited at the prospect of seeing their son compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“All going well I think he’ll be there, for sure,” Ms King said.
Olympic boxer, Callum Peters showed a softer side as he was welcomed off the plane by the warm embrace of his mum, Cassie Peters and sister Lana Peters.
“We always knew he had the potential to do it, he wanted it, he trains hard, he does all the things he needs to do to make it to the Olympics and when he did it, it wasn’t a surprise,” Ms Peters said.
“I get to say I know someone famous,” sister, Lana added.
While Mr Peters did not come home with a medal, he said the Paris Olympics was an amazing experience and enjoyed rubbing shoulders with sports greatest athletes, such as Lebron James.
“It’s been an unreal learning experience for me to get better and better,” Mr Peters said.
“I can’t wait (for the Los Angeles Olympics), it’s training and preparation now.
“I’m just getting ready for the next one.”
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