NSW: Australian Olympic contingent touches down in Sydney=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2008
NSW: Australian Olympic contingent touches down in Sydney=2

Hundreds of family and friends waving Australian flags and carrying flowers, gathered
in aircraft hangar 96 at Sydney airport to welcome home the athletes.

Gold medal swimmer Stephanie Rice was the first to emerge from the plane and she was
greeted by Mr Rudd.

Rower James Tomkins was next off the plane, followed by swimmers including Libby Trickett.

More than 20 friends and family of 470 sailing gold medallist Nathan Willmot were holding
green and gold streamers and dressed in Olympic colours to welcome him home.

"I think he'll be a bit embarrassed to see us all, but he's been the world champion
for so long and now finally he's got gold," Nathan's cousin Amy Atkins told AAP.

The athletes are returning with 46 Olympic medals, including 14 gold.

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KEYWORD: OLY08 AUST ARRIVE 2 SYDNEY

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