Olympic medallists receive rock star welcome at Sydney Airport

Australian Winter Olympic heroes Cooper Woods and Danielle Scott have received a rock star welcome home from the Milano Cortina Games.

Woods came almost out of nowhere to claim a remarkable moguls* gold, while Scott won a long-awaited silver as they helped deliver Australia’s most successful Winter Olympics ever.

The pair were both upgraded to Qantas business class on the flight back home, and were given guards of honour* when flying out of London and during their stopover* in Singapore.

Still, Woods had no idea there would be such a big crowd waiting for him when he arrived at Sydney Airport.

“To have everyone here, I’m so stoked, it’s such an honour,” he said in the arrivals terminal.

“It’s pretty wild. I saw some young skiers that I’ve known for years, and I’ve known their parents, and they’re here.

“I just didn’t expect it to be this big. I didn’t understand the gratitude* of winning a gold medal.”

Scott told her family not to travel to Italy for the Winter Games because she was low on confidence after a disappointing lead-up. She was greeted in emotional scenes by her cousin Rachael and Rachael’s kids, Jake and Ella.

“That decision (not to have her family there) was a tough one, but being my fourth Games, I knew what I needed to do to get the job done,” Scott said.

“I’m very grateful that they respected that so I could focus.

“To see my husband’s family here is amazing.

“My mum and dad, I’ll see them eventually. My dad’s been through a couple of surgeries, I’ll go see him later.

“All the kids, the girls from my school I went to, my cousin – she’s probably seen a lot of this journey people haven’t.”

Ms Corby said Scott was also her best mate, recalled when the former gymnast quit the sport ahead of a shock switch to the aerials*.

“We all thought she was mad, but off she went,” Ms Corby told Code Sports. “She retired from gymnastics at such a young age and it’s just been amazing to watch her succeed and finally show Australia and the world what she’s capable of. And to cap it off with flag bearing, it was fantastic.”

At 35, Scott had hinted at plans for retirement a few weeks ago, but said she was now reconsidering.

“I think so,” she told Code Sports when asked if she would set her sights on a fifth Olympics. “What’s another four years?” she said. “I’ve dedicated myself to being an athlete, I love what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

After arriving in Sydney, Woods was set to fly home to his hometown of Merimbula on the far South Coast of New South Wales, before more celebrating in Melbourne next week.

“I’ll go home for a few days, celebrate with the community, see my school and do a few things with them,” he said. “Then it’s F1 next week. I’m doing Glamour on the Grid, so I’ll dress up for that, look pretty and just go and enjoy the experience.”

The ribbon on Woods’ gold medal – one of just nine won by Aussies in Winter Olympics history – is already fraying, with the 25-year-old losing count of how many people he’s given it to for photos and closer inspection.

“This is not just my medal, it’s Australia’s medal,” he said. “When people ask if they can feel it or wear it, I’m usually pretty good.

“We’ve had a big week. The ribbon’s a bit busted, but we’ll get it fixed, and I’ll leave it with Mum and Dad.”

Australia finished 14th on the medal table – one above Great Britain – and Woods said the Winter Olympic movement would only continue to grow in Australia.

“We’ve really put winter sports on the map,” he said. “We’re a small nation in winter sports, but geez we pack a big punch.

“When the first medal fell, they all just kept falling, and we ended up with three golds, two silvers and a bronze.

“We really blew it out of the park, and in four years’ time, there will be more to come.”

POLL

GLOSSARY

• moguls: a type of freestyle skiing where competitors navigate steep slopes covered in mounds
• guards of honour: a ceremonial formation of people to honour or welcome visiting teams or dignitaries
• stopover: a place where an airline stops to refuel between destinations
• gratitude: readiness to show appreciation
• aerials: a type of skiing where competitors launch high into the air off steep ramps and perform multiple acrobatic flips and twists

EXTRA READING
Winter Olympics: week 2 highlights
Winter Olympics: week 1 highlights
Aussies to shine at Winter Games

QUICK QUIZ
1. Which sport did Cooper Woods win gold in?
2. Which colour medal did Danielle Scott bring back?
3. Why didn’t Scott’s family travel to Italy to watch her compete in the Games?
4. Which sport did Scott previously compete in?
5. Which small town does Woods live in?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. ‎What would you say?
Imagine that you are one of the people who welcomed Cooper and Danielle at Sydney airport. Write down what you would say if our Kids News reporter asked you to explain the reasons why you were there.

Time: Spend at least 20 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education

2. Extension
Do you think that Cooper and Danielle are positive role models for younger kids? Write a list of detailed reasons for you answer.

Time: Spend at least 20 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social Capability

VCOP ACTIVITY
You’re a hero in my eyes
Sometimes heroes go unnoticed. They are everyday people, who make a big difference to those they meet.

Write a letter to a hero in your eyes. Explain to them why they are your hero and that you have noticed them. Your letter can be anonymous or you can personally sign it off.

Remember when writing a letter:

• start with a greeting: Dear Sir,
• Then on a new line, write the body of the letter.
• Finish with a closing: Kind regards,
• And finally, sign the letter.

Try to include detail and emotion in the letter to connect with your target audience: your unsung hero.