It was quite loud at Vienna-Schwechat Airport on Monday evening as families and cheering fans welcomed their heroes to live music. Kitesurfer Valentin Bontus and Lara Vadlau and Lukas Mähr, who also sailed to gold, were celebrated, as were bronze climbers Jakob Schubert and Jessica Pilz.
The atmosphere was great, and there was a lot of excitement, especially for Bontus. A musical delegation from his hometown of Perchtoldsdorf had come and their performance rivaled that of the Austrian Army Guard Band, which was also present. Friends and family of the 23-year-old had turned up with wakeboards, set off confetti cannons and made a lot of noise with their horns. Some were dressed in white, in keeping with the ÖSV racing suit that Bontus wore during his races.
Photo gallery: Loud reception for our Olympic heroes
Reception for medal winners at Vienna Airport (Photo: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK) Bild 1/10
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“It’s incredible to see so many faces that were sitting at home and keeping their fingers crossed. It’s wonderful that I can bring them a gold medal,” said the Lower Austrian in an interview with ORF. Vadlau was also happy to finally be back home. “We’ve been away from home for a relatively long time now, since July 22nd. Now it’s even nicer to be welcomed like this,” said the sailor.
Celebration in the Vienna Hofburg
To the delight of the fans, the quintet presented the medals once again and gave interviews before the athletes continued on their way home. On Tuesday evening, another medal ceremony in honor of the successful ÖOC athletes is scheduled in the Vienna Hofburg. Judoka Michaela Polleres, who was also successful in Paris, landed back in Vienna a week ago after winning bronze.