Qld Olympic heroes begin to return home after quarantine

Queensland’s own Olympic champions have had a taste of freedom, touching down in Brisbane after completing hotel quarantine in Sydney.

Queensland’s own Olympic champions have had a taste of freedom, touching down in Brisbane after completing hotel quarantine in Sydney.

Bronze medallists in the women’s quadruple sculls final Ria Thompson, Harriet Hudson and Caitlin Cronin were on the only flight home yesterday, eager to celebrate their achievements with loved ones.

Cronin said the team’s success was finally starting to sink in.

“It was very surreal at the time and especially in Tokyo, but I think when we celebrate with our family and friends back here it’ll really start to sink in and we get to share that with them,” she said.

Rowers Ria Thompson, Caitlin Cronin and Harriet Hudson back in Brisbane yesterday. Picture: Richard Walker

Her mother Tracey Cronin said their afternoon was full of catching up and celebrating, after Cronin had been away from home since February.

“We had a family lunch with her siblings to welcome her home and then we had people gathering at the Riverbar,” she said.

The three athletes had spent their quarantine time relaxing and watching their fellow Aussie athletes competing in their events.

“The first week we were all busy watching the Olympics, supporting the team which was pretty special because we’d basically seen everyone around the village and the Aussie building,” Thompson said.

“I finally had a chance to call all my family and friends and reply to all the messages.”

Gymnast Georgia Godwin also returned to Brisbane after completing quarantine on Sunday.