London 2012 Olympics: Tom Daley greeted by fans in Plymouth - Daily Mail

AppId is over the quota

By Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 08:47 GMT, 20 September 2012 | UPDATED: 10:24 GMT, 20 September 2012

Hordes of homemade banners, joyous crowds and lashings of Olympic and Paralympic spirit greeted athletes as Tom Daley and his colleagues lapped up the euphoria surrounding the London 2012 Games as Plymouth paid tribute to its young sporting stars.

The teenage diving sensation was among those joining in the open-top bus parade through the Devon city this evening, as thousands of well-wishers packed the streets to pay tribute to the 18-year-old bronze medallist.

The 15-year-old swimmer Ruta Meilutyte, who won gold in the 100m women’s breaststroke for her home country of Lithuania, was also among the athletes taking part in the event.

All aboard: The Plymouth based Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including Tom Daley take to the streets on an open top bus

Welcome back: The people of Plymouth turn out to greet the Olympians

The pair waved from the balcony of Plymouth College, where Daley and Meilutyte are studying for their A-Levels and GCSEs respectively, before boarding the bus as it made its hour-long route through the city streets.

Others in the parade included divers Tonia Couch and Sarah Barrow, swimmers Antony James, Jamila Lunkuse and Jade Howard, fencer Corinna Lawrence, wheelchair basketball player Judith Hamer and Paralympic table tennis player David Wetherill.

Daley’s diving coach Andy Banks and Meilutyte’s swimming coach Jon Rudd also took part in the celebration, which included a stop at the new multimillion-pound Plymouth Life Centre, where many of the city’s athletes train.

Medal winner: Daley holds his Bronze medal and as he points to the crowds

Stella Goodman, who was watching the parade with three generations of her family, said: “we are proud, proud to be Plymothians and see them today.'

Swimmer Cerys Moore, 11, added: 'they (athletes) are inspiring me to be like them. I have been to the Life Centre (where the athletes train) and it is fantastic.'

Each athlete was given a rousing reception as they were presented to the crowd which had gathered near the city plaza to welcome them off the bus.

But the biggest cheer was reserved for Daley, wearing his TeamGB tracksuit and bronze medal.

Back to school: Daley, gold medallist Ruta Meilutyte, Olympic swimmer Jamila Lunkuse and Olympic swimmer Jade Howard walk through college grounds on the first day back after the London 2012

Addressing the crowd - several members of which tried to catch his attention with shouts of 'I love you, Tom” - the diver said: 'Today has been crazy. The number of people who have lined the streets and the foot bridges - thank you for coming.

'It has been pretty crazy since the Olympic Games. Going through town or going out it is literally mental all the time. But it is back to school now, back to reality.'

Daley also thanked staff at Plymouth College, where the teenager is studying for his A-Levels.

He said: 'They have been incredible supporting us, adapting timetables, making sure we can train.'

Back to reality: Daley and the fellow Olympians return to the class room

Speaking between screams from younger members of the audience, Daley added: 'I would just like to say thank you from all of us.'

The athletes’ bus was followed for a short distance by a procession of the city’s Games Makers, many of whom later attended a civic reception at the Council House, hosted by the Lord Mayor, Michael Wright. Lithuanian Ambassador Dr Oskaras Jusys was also among guests at the reception.