113 Olympic athletes and support touch down in the Territory to begin mandatory quarantine at Howard Springs

Swimming gold medallists Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon were among 113 athletes and support staff to touch down in Darwin after competing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

• VIDEO: First planeload of star Olympians touches down in Darwin to start fortnight in isolation

SWIMMING gold medallists Ariarne Titmus and Emma McKeon were among 113 athletes and support staff to touch down in Darwin after competing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Rohan Browning, the 100m sprinter who stunned Aussies with his mullet and lightning pace, was also among the pack of sporting stars to disembark from the special charter Qantas flight about 5.30am on Tuesday.

Passengers were taken by bus directly to the Howard Springs quarantine facility, where they are undertaking 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine.

Ariarne Titmus, right, was among the members of the Australian Olympic team to arrive in Darwin on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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An Australian Olympic Committee spokesman said a broad and expansive range of programs, running from 8.30am to 9pm daily, had been organised for the athletes while they counted down the days in their dongas.

Among their options are “special talks by various experts” on topics such as financial management, social media upskilling and managing their time in quarantine.

There will also be physical activity sessions, music sessions and trivia competitions, the spokesman said.

Bronte Campbell was among the members of the Australian Olympic team to arrive in Darwin on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Litchfield Council Mayor Maree Bredhauer said it was exciting to have some of Australia’s sporting legends on Territory soil and hoped they would spend some time engaging with the community after they were released from quarantine.

“It would be wonderful if we could encourage them – after their quarantine period is over – to perhaps adjoin with the community for a couple of days,” Ms Bredhauer said.

Emily Seebohm was among the members of the Australian Olympic team to arrive in Darwin on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

She pointed out that Litchfield Council had fantastic sports amenities for athletes to keep up their fitness.

“We have Fred Hollow Reserve, where there are just so many sports on offer,” she said.

“We don’t have a swimming pool there though, but I’m sure we could sort something out.”

She said she hoped Territory children in particular would have the chance to interact with their sporting idols.

The Olympic cohort currently in Darwin includes 49 swimmers, 18 members of the women’s rugby sevens team, nine members of the athletics team, six shooters, six triathletes, four gymnasts and trampolinists, two boxers and two cyclists.

Members of the Australian Olympic team arrive in Darwin on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The AOC spokesman said it was expected the athletes would return to their home states immediately after completing their quarantine period.

A Darwin International Airport spokesman said another flight carrying about 80 Olympic athletes was due to land on August 9.

The spokesman said “significant works” were carried out at the airport terminal to ensure athletes were separated at the screening and processing area.

A member of the Australian Olympic team arrive in Darwin on Tuesday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Ms Bredhauer encouraged athletes to check out all Litchfield had to offer, including the jumping croc tours, the Humpty Doo barramundi farm and the local Aboriginal art and cultural centres.

“We’d be pleased to organise some sporting things with our local sporting fraternity for us to be able to celebrate them,” she said.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the promotion of all sports … for our children.”