Hero's welcome for athletes

World Silver Medallist Olive Loughnane arrived to a hero's welcome at Dublin Airport this evening.

A crowd of well wishers cheered Ms Loughnane as she arrived back from Berlin where she won the silver medal in the 20km walk at the World Championships.

Ms Loughnane was visibly delighted as she was met by her 3-year-old daughter Eimear in the arrival lounge.

The 33-year-old Loughrea athlete crossed the line in a season’s best 1:28:58 and was only bettered by defending champion and Olympic gold medalist Olga Kaniskina after the Russian won in a time of 1:28:09.

Ms Loughnane was accompanied at the airport by David Gillick, World Finalist, 400m Paul Hession, World Semi-Finalist, 200m and Liam Hennessy, President, Athletics Ireland.