CHICAGO (WBBM) — Some local Olympians were greeted like heroes MONDAY evening after returning from the Vancouver Winter Games.
A crowd of airline passengers, none who knew the athletes, gathered at the gate in the United Terminal, carrying welcome signs printed up by United employees.
When the athletes entered the terminal, the crowd broke into spontaneous cheers.
About fifty Olympic athletes were on the flight. Most were catching planes elsewhere. But there were several from the Chicago area.
Nancy Swider-Peltz jr., of Wheaton, was beaming as she entered the terminal. She said she was impressed and humbled by the welcome. She said it was an amazing honor to represent the United States in the games. She’s a speed-skater, who did not medal. She said she hoped people watching back home could feel the thrill of the experience.
Fellow speed-skater Brian Hansen, of Glenview was all smiles when he saw the crowd and the cameras and microphones. Hansen was wearing his silver medal. Winning that medal, he said, was the best moment of his life. And, he said, its heavy.
The goalie for the US Women’s hockey team, Jessica Vetter, of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, called the experience amazing. The women, like the men, lost to Canada, coming home with silver.
Read the original article from WBBM News Radio.
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