The 14-day ordeal awaiting Australia’s returning Olympic heroes

Some of Australia’s Olympic champions touched back down in Sydney today, but it was without the fanfare they deserved.

Australia’s Olympic team have begun arriving back in Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker

Some of Australia’s hero Olympians touched down in Sydney on Friday however without the fanfare they deserve as they kick-off the final leg of their journey.

A group of 16 athletes and another four support staff arrived in Sydney from the Tokyo Games to begin their quarantine period at the Mantra Hotel in the CBD.

The returning Olympians came from athletics, diving, gymnastics and sailing and included long jumper Brooke Stratton.

As they began their isolation period on home soil, they stood on balconies, waving to people in the opposite buildings.

Members of the Australian Olympic team arrived at their hotel for quarantine in Sydney on Friday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker.

The Aussie athletes began trickling back into Australia earlier this week to begin their hotel quarantine period.

Over the coming week, 853 athletes and support staff will touch down in Australia on commercial and chartered flights from Tokyo.

Athletes must depart the Games village 48 hours after their final event, meaning they are returning home in waves.

They will serve their 14-day quarantine period in hotels across the country in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Howard Springs, about 30km out of Darwin.

During quarantine, they will have to undergo regular Covid testing.

Olympic team members have been provided with support during their 14-day quarantine period. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker

While the athletes, coaches and support staff must remain in isolation, friends and loved ones will be able to send them care packages during their stay.

The Australian Olympic team has also organised virtual connections to friends and family and around-the-clock access to mental health services.

Brooke Stratton arrives back in Sydney after finishing seventh in the long jump. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dylan Coker.

“The AOC has also developed a comprehensive quarantine activity program for all team members which includes personal and professional development opportunities delivered by industry experts as well as some lighthearted activities, including virtual live musical performances and online trivia nights to help them to connect while in quarantine,” AOC’s Olympian services manager and former swimmer Daniel Kowalski said.