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Jessica Ennis welcomed home to Sheffield by 20,000 fans | Jessica Ennis welcomed home to Sheffield by 20,000 fans |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Up to 20,000 people gathered in Sheffield city centre to welcome home Olympic champion Jessica Ennis. | Up to 20,000 people gathered in Sheffield city centre to welcome home Olympic champion Jessica Ennis. |
The gold-medal winning heptathlete took to a stage to greet the packed crowd of fans as she was told she was to be handed the freedom of the city. | The gold-medal winning heptathlete took to a stage to greet the packed crowd of fans as she was told she was to be handed the freedom of the city. |
Ennis, 26, said it was nice to be home but "more than anything it is overwhelming". | |
Despite heavy rain earlier, people had started to gather two hours before her arrival. | Despite heavy rain earlier, people had started to gather two hours before her arrival. |
Ennis said: "I cannot believe how many people are here. It goes all the way back. | Ennis said: "I cannot believe how many people are here. It goes all the way back. |
Sheffield's streets filled for a glimpse of its golden girl. | Sheffield's streets filled for a glimpse of its golden girl. |
The rain didn't stop crowds gathering hours before the event to celebrate her gold medal. | The rain didn't stop crowds gathering hours before the event to celebrate her gold medal. |
Young and old stood proudly in patriotic colours and flashes of gold glinted in the crowd. | Young and old stood proudly in patriotic colours and flashes of gold glinted in the crowd. |
From DIY gold medals to frizzy, sparkling comedy wigs, golden touches lit up the event. | From DIY gold medals to frizzy, sparkling comedy wigs, golden touches lit up the event. |
Meanwhile, her mother and father stood quietly and took in the scene. | Meanwhile, her mother and father stood quietly and took in the scene. |
Strangers who had never met the athlete but had seen Jess on TV shed tears and swelled with local pride. | Strangers who had never met the athlete but had seen Jess on TV shed tears and swelled with local pride. |
Any mention of Jess's name produced a forest of hand-made placards and union flags. | Any mention of Jess's name produced a forest of hand-made placards and union flags. |
Sheffield was in seventh heaven. | Sheffield was in seventh heaven. |
"It's a beautiful city with amazing facilities and this is my home and the place I love. | "It's a beautiful city with amazing facilities and this is my home and the place I love. |
"Thank you so much to every single one of you here. | "Thank you so much to every single one of you here. |
"If I could thank you all individually, I would. There are so many of you. You've been incredible - not just these past few weeks, but the past few years. | "If I could thank you all individually, I would. There are so many of you. You've been incredible - not just these past few weeks, but the past few years. |
"You've always been there to support me. I can't thank you enough." | "You've always been there to support me. I can't thank you enough." |
After greeting the crowd, Ennis was presented with a "Sheffield Legends" plaque, which had been temporarily removed from outside the city hall and painted gold to commemorate her Olympic win. | After greeting the crowd, Ennis was presented with a "Sheffield Legends" plaque, which had been temporarily removed from outside the city hall and painted gold to commemorate her Olympic win. |
The celebrations also involved streamers bursting over the crowds and fireworks. | The celebrations also involved streamers bursting over the crowds and fireworks. |
The thousands of people at Barker's Pool meant that as fans continued to come into the city centre, late-comers had to watch events relayed to a second big screen on Fargate. | The thousands of people at Barker's Pool meant that as fans continued to come into the city centre, late-comers had to watch events relayed to a second big screen on Fargate. |
Trees had been sprayed gold and people were also being asked to wear the colour. | Trees had been sprayed gold and people were also being asked to wear the colour. |
'Into the stratosphere' | |
Julie Dore, the leader of Sheffield Council, said the event was "more than special" and put Sheffield on the "international stage". | Julie Dore, the leader of Sheffield Council, said the event was "more than special" and put Sheffield on the "international stage". |
Looking out at the crowd, she said: "It's a sea of gold and I'm just so happy. It's sent us into the stratosphere." | Looking out at the crowd, she said: "It's a sea of gold and I'm just so happy. It's sent us into the stratosphere." |
Tony Minichiello, Ennis's coach, said: "This is the end of four years' work, and emotionally it is like falling off the end of a cliff. | Tony Minichiello, Ennis's coach, said: "This is the end of four years' work, and emotionally it is like falling off the end of a cliff. |
"But I've got the best job in the world." | "But I've got the best job in the world." |
Claire Beckett, from Sheffield, took her two daughters Harley, 16, and Raegan, 10, to stand in the front row to "experience the atmosphere". | Claire Beckett, from Sheffield, took her two daughters Harley, 16, and Raegan, 10, to stand in the front row to "experience the atmosphere". |
"We don't mind getting wet. It's a bit of fun," said Mrs Beckett. | "We don't mind getting wet. It's a bit of fun," said Mrs Beckett. |
Harley said she had been inspired by Ennis's achievements. | Harley said she had been inspired by Ennis's achievements. |
"It shows you can achieve something from nothing. | "It shows you can achieve something from nothing. |
"It brings it closer to home. Because she lives where we live, it's different." | "It brings it closer to home. Because she lives where we live, it's different." |
Balm Green, next to the city hall, has been transformed into a mini athletics track where young people can try out their skills on some of the sporting disciplines of the heptathlon. | Balm Green, next to the city hall, has been transformed into a mini athletics track where young people can try out their skills on some of the sporting disciplines of the heptathlon. |
After greeting the crowd, Ennis was given a civic reception inside the city hall and presented with two pairs of gold shoes, a cake and a painting of herself by local artist Pete McKee. | After greeting the crowd, Ennis was given a civic reception inside the city hall and presented with two pairs of gold shoes, a cake and a painting of herself by local artist Pete McKee. |