B.C. Olympians arriving from Rio get a hero's welcome
It was a hero's welcome for two members of the bronze-medal-winning rugby sevens team.
For women known for moving fast on the field, walking through the Victoria International Airport with that medal around their necks was a much different experience.
Kayla Moleschi and Ashley Steacy touched down in the Capital region this morning with everyone wanting to get a picture and a glimpse of the Olympic hardware.
"Every airport we have been in, we have been swarmed by a lot of people. It has been incredible. So many people you never thought would have watched rugby," said Moleschi, standing beside Steacy.
'It has been insane. We were going into this airport saying I am glad I'm with you."
Party time
Moleschi and Steacy were two of the stars of the Canadian women's rugby team that captured a bronze medal in the first week of the games after a 33-10 win over Great Britain in Rio.
The pair live and train along with their teammates in Victoria, but both are headed home tomorrow. Moleschi is set to drive back to Williams Lake, while Steacy heads to her home town of Lethbridge, Alberta.
"People who don't even know who we are see the Canada gear, and we didn't even have the medals on, and they were like, 'oh my gosh you are coming back form the Olympics,'" said Steacy.
"Then we tell them rugby, and they say you got to show us your medals. Everyone has just been so kind and supportive and saying what a good job we did representing Canada."
Moleschi is the only B.C. native on the team, and her home town of Williams Lake is set to remind her of her accomplishment.
The community has a parade and touch rugby competition planned for Saturday.
Kamloops Homecoming
In Kamloops, it was a similar scene.
Cross-country mountain bike bronze medalist Catharine Pendrel was greeted by cheers and hugs as she worked her way through a crowd of more than a hundred people who turned out to greet her at the city's airport.
"Travelling for racing and competing is so much a part of my life that it's normally this simple come-home-and-get-in-the car and go. Pretty neat to have this sort of reception coming home," Pendrel said.
Sweet Redemption
Especially sweet for Pendrel considering her previous two Olympic experiences ended with disappointing trips home.
In the 2008 Beijing games she finished fourth in her event, crossing the finish line just nine seconds out of a medal position.
Then four years later she came into the London games as a medal hopeful and world champion, but finished in ninth famously apologising after the race.
"You know, I'm sorry because I know everyone in B.C. got up at 4:30 [a.m.] to watch me. It's just what I had in the day and unfortunately this only comes every four years. Maybe in Rio," she said at the time.
Then this time around it all clicked, with today's arrival back home serving as a reminder.
"To have those two polar Olympic experiences ... I think London is what helped me have the race I had in Brazil on Saturday." said Pendral.
"I would say keep it fun, and if you are passionate about something just put in the work, and you never know what will happen."
With files from Tara Copeland
