A crowd of cheering and flag-waving supporters greeted a planeload of Olympic athletes who arrived back home in B.C. today (August 13).

The flight from London arrived at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond just before noon, carrying a group of British Columbians who competed in the 2012 Summer Games.

Fans young and old burst into cheers when soccer star and Burnaby native Christine Sinclair entered the public meeting area of the airport’s international terminal.

Smiling and wearing her bronze medal from the women’s soccer tournament, Sinclair was mobbed by reporters and autograph-seekers as she made her way through the terminal.

Sinclair, who captained the Canadian team and scored six goals in the tournament, said the hero’s welcome was overwhelming.

“Being in England, we didn’t understand what had happened back here,” she told reporters. “And they’re like, ‘Just wait. Just wait till you see when you get home.’ But I don’t think any of us expected this.”

Sinclair capped off her experience in the 2012 London Olympics yesterday by carrying the Canadian flag during the closing ceremony.

“It was the hugest honour, you know, to walk out in front of 80,000 screaming fans and carrying your country’s colours,” she said. “It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

“I think I need to watch it on TV because I don’t even remember what happened.”

The throng of supporters and family members, many dressed in red and white, sang rounds of “O Canada” as they stood waiting to greet the Olympic athletes at the airport.

Other medal-winning Olympians who arrived on the flight were Victoria swimmer Richard Weinberger, White Rock weightlifter Christine Girard, and Port Moody rower Krista Guloien.

Soccer player Christine Sinclair talks with media about her Olympic experience.

Olympic rower Krista Guloien talks with media about her training.

Olympic swimmer Richard Weinberger talks with media about winning a bronze medal.