A smiling, confident Emily Maher returned home to Ireland yesterday to a heroine's welcome after her double gold medal win at the World Youth Olympics in Moscow.
Emily, who had flown out quietly and without fanfare to Russia a week ago with the Irish youth team, had returned a celebrity. Wearing the two medals on a red ribbon around her neck, the new golden girl of athletics walked from the Aeroflot aircraft at Dublin Airport into a barrage of photographers. Her mother, Frances, unable to wait for her any longer, rushed out of the terminal and ran across the tarmac for an emotional reunion.
Emily took the gold medal in both the 100 metres and 200 metres but in spite of the achievement, she was taken aback by the VIP welcome.
"First I want to thank you for this turn-out. I certainly didn't expect any of this," she said once she was inside the building where family, friends, and supporters from her club, the Kilkenny City Harriers, had gathered with flags and banners waving.
The assured 17-year-old from Kilkenny remembered everybody in a short speech, not least her mother who she said had brought her to training all over the country and was "practically my slave 24 hours a day".
Neither did she forget her team mates, the five other young people who had gone to Moscow and returned with her yesterday.
"They all came home with personal bests and well done to them," Emily said.
The reception was organised by the Olympic Council of Ireland and its president, Mr Pat Hickey, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, commented that the team of six had done well and Emily had brought great distinction to Ireland.
"She will be in the records of Irish Olympic history and is a great credit to her country," he said.
Mr Hickey added that he hoped he would be back there again when Emily came back a winner either from the Olympics in Sidney in 2000 or Athens in 2004. "She certainly has the capability to do it."
The other five members were Conor Nagle, south Dublin, fencing; Denise O'Connor, Cork, gymnastics; Noelle Lennon, Terenure, and Suzanne Monnelly, both table tennis; and Kevin Burke, long jump and high jump.
Among those at the welcoming reception were Emily's brother, John, sisters, Louise and Pamela, and another sister, Frankie, who had come from England for the event. Also present was the chairman of the Community Games, Mr George O'Toole, former Sports Minister; Mr Liam Aylward TD, and Emily's coach in Kikenny, Mr Robert Norwood.
Afterwards, Emily and her supporters headed home to Kilkenny where more celebrations awaited.
Earlier, Mr Hickey commented that the six young people had only been able to go to this first Youth Olympics because of the generosity of the Russians.
The Olympic Council had wanted to enter the full team but when £50,000 was offered by the Government it was not enough and they would have had to tell so many children that they could not go. It would have been unfair.
He said he was willing to talk to the Irish Sports Council, which advises the Government, at any time.