Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Portchester BMX bronze medallist Declan Brooks is welcomed home by cheering crowds
and live on Freeview channel 276
Declan clinched the bronze with two hair-raising front flips in the BMX Freestyle Park event on Sunday.
Driven to Portchester after a long flight from Japan, the 25-year-old was stunned to be greeted by hundreds of cheering loved ones and neighbours.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSurrounded by supporters and with a free pint from The Seagull pub in Cornaway Lane in his hand, the homecoming hero said: ‘It’s mental. I was expecting to just go home. This is mental.’
Thanking the community for their constant support throughout the competition, he added: ‘Thanks so much for the support. It’s been amazing while I have been out there and motivated me to come back with a medal.’
And despite a gruelling games and a long flight home, Declan spent more than an hour greeting well-wishers, posing for photographs, and letting young fans hold his Olympic medal.
Mum Kelly Pryer said: ‘I thought maybe there would be ten or 20 people. Portchester has come out to say congratulations.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad‘He was getting loads of messages of support while he was out there. I think at one point he had to turn his phone off because he was feeling overwhelmed.’
Dad Lee Brooks added: ‘I’m ecstatic. The kids look at him and you can see they are thinking, ‘that man has a medal from the Olympics’.
Girlfriend of three years Beth Campbell said she could barely watch her partner’s medal-winning performance, with memories of Declan knocking himself unconscious during the world championships in June still fresh in her mind.
The 24-year-old said: ‘Just three weeks ago he had a really horrible accident and all I wanted him to do was come home safe and unscathed. But to come home with a medal and come home to this – it’s mind blowing.’
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut with bronze around his neck, Declan will now have his sights set on a gold at the next Olympic games, according to Lee.
He said: ‘He’ll be setting his sights on Paris in three years’ time.’
SEE ALSO: Portsmouth firefighters tackle kitchen blaze after access 'blocked by bad parking' in Fratton street
Before that, something even more important awaits the homecoming hero – a traditional cup of tea.
Mum Kelly said: ‘He likes a nice of cup – and it’s lovely having him home to make the cups of tea. He does the best cup of tea.’
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdA cuppa will help the podium-taking biker feel truly at home after a ‘surreal’ journey, according to Kelly, who picked her son up from the airport.
She said: ‘All the people coming out (from the airport) with their medals – it’s so emotional.’
So far Team GB has taken home more than 43 medals during the Tokyo Games.
With her son among the elite group, Kelly said: ‘It still hasn’t sunk in yet.’