De Grasse back home, says he’s looking forward to mom’s cooking

For the second day in a row, Canadian Olympians returned home from the Rio Olympics to excited crowds of loved ones and fans.

Runner Andre De Grasse of Markham, who won a silver and two bronze medals, was the first to walk through the arrival gate at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.

“It’s incredible out here (with) this crowd. I’m loving it,” De Grasse said. “I’m honoured. It feels so good to be a part of this country.”

His mom Beverley joined him almost immediately.

“I’m just looking to go home and take some time off,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to his mom’s home cooking.

The City of Markham is planning a celebration in his honour next month. De Grasse was the first Canadian to win three sprint medals at a single Games.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti said there will be a community celebration for De Grasse on Sept. 18 at the Markham Pan Am Centre to welcome him home and to “celebrate his incredible achievements at the Rio Olympics.”

Food and rest were also top of mind for Derek Drouin of Corunna, Ont., who won a gold medal in the high jump.

“I’m not really looking forward to cooking. Probably just order some pizza. It’s my time off so I’m not really watching what I eat too much,” Drouin said.

The 26-year-old added he was hoping to sleep “probably for the next day.”

Toronto’s Melissa Pagnotta, who competed in taekwondo, received an energetic welcome from more than 20 athletes she trains with in the city, some as young as seven.

“Who’s the best? Melissa!” they chanted as they saw her.

Other returning athletes also included Damian Warner, who captured bronze in the decathlon.

 

Sandra Colaire, the mother of hurdler Nikkita Holder of Pickering was also at Pearson with Holder’s two-and-a-half-year-old son Kaedence Warner in her arms.

Colaire said it was hard to see Holder fall during the 100-metre hurdles semifinals but that she was still so proud of her daughter.

“Her spirits are great,” said Colaire. “The one question she had after the fall was, ‘Mom are you okay?'”

Holder scooped Kaedence up when she arrived, and he smiled and giggled as she spoke to the media about the encouragement she got from fans.

“I definitely didn’t expect the love that I got,” Holder said. “Canada’s awesome. I’m glad that I am a Canadian.”

The arriving athletes followed two planeloads of Olympians who arrived home early Tuesday, including star swimmer Penny Oleksiak. The Toronto teenager won four medals at the Rio Games, including Canada’s first gold.

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