• 4 months ago
The National Lottery hosted a Homecoming concert featuring Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne, Pete Tong and Rag’n’Bone Man to welcome back Team GB athletes from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Report by Czubalam. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

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00:00I'm proud of what I've done, but I've been competing and trying to get to this level for a while, so it's more just something I've been trying to get done, so I got it done.
00:09For me it was fun, it was just an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. I was 19 when I did it, I'm 21 now, so people grow and evolve.
00:18It was an amazing period to really focus on what needed to be focused on, tactically and stuff like that.
00:24I got one of the best physios in the world, so it was amazing to work with him. The coach and support staff have been very helpful through that, so I'm happy to get through it all.
00:33It was a bit of a shock to me, to be honest, to see that many people, but it was really lovely to be able to see all that support that I've received throughout my career.
00:42But also to see that I'm inspiring a generation of gymnasts, young gymnasts, to hopefully be able to achieve their dreams one day. It's quite a privilege, really.
00:53I mean, that doesn't even feel real. Even now, it's been a week since my event, it really hasn't sunk in. Ever since I got back I've been here, there and everywhere.
01:00My feet haven't really touched the ground, but to be back here now, being a gold medallist, just feels incredible.
01:07When I came down from my route, I knew that I had the silver, but then being sat in that chair and finding out that I had the gold, there was so much adrenaline.
01:15I didn't really know what was going on. I was like, am I here? Am I on the stage? Have I just won gold? It just felt like a dream, really.
01:21It's everything I've dreamed of since I was a young boy, so it's quite surreal. It doesn't sound right yet, to be honest. I'm just waiting for it all to sink in still.
01:31I've never been to a motorsport major championships before, and this was next level. You met so many people there, every country in one little village.
01:41I thought it was amazing. There was a camaraderie between everyone there, because we've all got the same goal.
01:47We've all been training for years, we all want to get that gold medal or A medal, so there was a lot of camaraderie around there.
01:54I think every stroke counts, definitely, and just believe in yourself. We're Olympic champions, you really can do anything.
02:02If you believe that you can do it, then you absolutely can do it. If we want to go to LA, then let's try and get there.
02:10Just believe in yourself, back yourself, and every stroke counts. Never give up.
02:14It's pretty special. It's something I've been working towards. When I was a junior, I definitely set my mind on it.
02:19The last four years, I had a feeling I could make Paris, so that's been my focus. It's really good to have actually made it and been there.
02:28This is my second Games, so I was part of the Tokyo Olympics, which was very different to now.
02:34I was very grateful for Paris and the crowds, my friends and family. That was so special.
02:39Definitely a different thing, so I'm really glad I continued on to Paris to experience the whole Olympic moment.
02:47It feels amazing. Every athlete dreams of making it to the Olympics one day. It's our pinnacle in the sport.
02:55To be able to go to Paris and have so many Team GB supporters out there because it's close to home, it was just the most incredible experience.
03:04What was going through my mind was, this is really quick. I think we knew it was going to be fast, but the whole way around, I was like, wow, this is quick.
03:12I was just telling myself, don't let the group get away. Just try and hold on to them.
03:17Hopefully, you'll be able to come away with a medal if you're there in contention with 100 metres to go.
03:22I think it was just a mixture of remain calm, enjoy this, but yeah, this is pretty quick.
03:29To go to the Olympics once, but then obviously to do it twice is very, very special.
03:33Obviously, to win medals at both is even more special.
03:36I'm just really thankful to be in the position that I am, and I try and enjoy every moment.
03:40Do you know why? It hasn't even been home long enough to be hung up yet.
03:43Literally, I only got home on Monday, and it's been out more than it's been in.
03:48I do have a setup where I have all my medals up in my home garage at home where I train, so it will be joining there eventually.
03:54I don't necessarily think it's always coming out with the gold that's the main message.
03:58I love sport because literally everything is done off your performance.
04:02What you put in is what you get out, and I think you can take that into a lot of different areas of life.
04:06You can take it to the office, you can take it to the streets, anywhere.
04:09The hard work will get you places, and I think that's a really great message to take away.

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