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

The first planeload of Australia’s star Olympians has slipped into Darwin before sunrise this morning in a military-precision operation overseen by health officials.

OUR Olympic athletes have slipped back onto home soil this morning, touching down in the Top End to start a fortnight of isolation.

The first charter flight for Australia’s Olympic cohort landed at Darwin Airport at approximately 5.15am ACST Tuesday.

From there, they were ferried to the Howard Springs quarantine facility to begin two weeks quarantine.

Donning masks and disembarking in groups of 20, the athletes were ferried to waiting buses with military precision.

#BREAKING Olympians have landed in Darwin pic.twitter.com/CyDqJyl17i

— Thomas Morgan (@thomasmorgan22) August 2, 2021

Authorities erected hoarding to prevent the waiting media from getting glimpses of the sporting stars.

Among those spotted walking from the Qantas plane to the terminal was Rohan Browning, who stunned the nation on Saturday evening by running a 10.01 second sprint in his 100-metre heat, which was the second fastest run of any Australian in history.

There are more flights expected to touch down in coming days.

A Darwin International Airport spokeswoman said the charter flight landed early, at about 5.15am.

“Darwin International Airport is delighted to be hosting the first Olympians to touch down in Australia,” the spokeswoman said.

“We congratulate them on their terrific performances, we’re so proud of them.”

“We hope their stay is as enjoyable as it can be.”

The athletes have arrived despite the Tokyo Games being far from over.

Australia currently sits fourth on the Gold medal tally, behind China, the United States and Japan, but ahead of other sporting powerhouses such as the Russian Olympic Committee, Great Britain and France.

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