Australian Olympic champions head home after spending quarantine in Darwin

The Olympians who have spent the past fortnight in Howard Springs have flown interstate back to their homes.

Olympians Leave Darwin Bronte Campbell at Darwin Airport. Picture Julianne Osborne

THE Olympians who have spent the past two weeks quarantining in Howard Springs have flown interstate back to their homes after a long stint away.

Victorious swimmers such as Kaylee McKeown, Ariarne Titmus, Bronte Campbell and Kyle Chalmers were among those on their way home midday on Tuesday.

While the athletes were happy to be going home to friends and family after a long campaign away, some were disappointed they didn’t get to stay for celebrations and to thank the Top End for hosting them. “I was really looking forward to staying in Darwin. I was looking forward to the parade and seeing a few people,” Campbell said

“It would have been good to stay and it’s disappointing to be going home without getting to thank Darwin for everything.

“Quarantine was as good as it could be, everyone was really nice and welcoming but now I’m excited to be on the other side of it now and heading home.”

Darwin was set to be the first Australian city to celebrate the return of our Australian Olympians but due to the three-day lockdown the AOC decided not to wait for a possible rescheduling of the event.

Olympian Ariarne Titmus at Darwin Airport. Picture Julianne Osborne

Olympian Kyle Chalmers at Darwin Airport. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Olympians at Darwin Airport. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Ariarne Titmus’ coach Dean Boxall at Darwin Airport. Picture Julianne Osborne

“As a consequence of the ongoing uncertainty, the AOC believes the best interests of all athletes is to return to their families and communities at the earliest opportunity,” an AOC spokesman said. “The AOC has thanked the Territory government for all its effort to provide a fitting celebration for athletes but fully understands the requirement for caution.”

And though the celebrations were unable to go ahead, there are rumours swirling that many of the swim team are likely to return when matters clear up.

Tokyo 200m backstroke bronze medalist Seebohm held a clinic for Territory swimmers in April pre-Olympics and comended the facilities and talent available for young swimmers in Darwin.

“I’m blown away by the number of talented swimmers there are up here in the NT. They all have amazing technic and an amazing natural feel for the water,” she said in April.

200m and 400m freestyle champion Titmus was among those who trained at Parap Pool ahead of her campaign with the Top End facility set up to become an Olympic swimming hub in the lead up to the 2024 Olympics.

THE Olympians who have spent the past two weeks quarantining in Howard Springs have flown interstate back to their homes after a long stint away.

Victorious swimmers such as Kaylee McKeown, Ariarne Titmus, Bronte Campbell and Kyle Chalmers were among those on their way home on midday Tuesday.

But the recent Darwin lockdown may have put a dampener on their departure with athletes including Emma McKeon and Emily Seebohm originally planning to attend a celebration in Darwin.

Darwin was set to be the first Australian city to celebrate the return of our Australian Olympians but due to the three-day lockdown the AOC decided not to wait for a possible rescheduling of the event.

“As a consequence of the ongoing uncertainty, the AOC believes the best interests of all athletes is to return to their families and communities at the earliest opportunity,” an AOC spokesman said.

“The AOC has thanked the Territory government for all its effort to provide a fitting celebration for athletes but fully understands the requirement for caution.”