Gold medallist Justyna Kowalczyk is welcomed back from Sochi on Tiuesday morning at Warsaw's Chopin International Airport. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Jakubowski
“They were the best games I've ever competed in,” said Kowalczyk early on Tuesday morning, after touching down at Warsaw's Chopin International Airport.
The 31-year-old managed to take gold in the women's Cross Country Classic, in spite of a severe foot injury.
“I've no desire to find out what's it like to cross a bigger pain threshold,” she said.
Meanwhile, speed skater Zbigniew Brodka, who took gold in the men's 1500m, revealed that he had barely had time to adjust to becoming a father before setting off for Sochi.
“When I left to take part in the qualifications, my wife had just given birth to our daughter Amelia.
“I was at home for just two days after the birth, and then it was only telephone contact for three weeks."
Brodka, who works as a fireman in his native town of Lowicz, central Poland, was given a proper fireman's welcome on Monday (pictured below) at Chopin Airport.
“I knew that I was going to be given a warm welcome, but I wouldn't have dreamt that it would be this warm,” he said.
Brodka picked up his second medal of the games on Saturday, with a bronze in the speed skating men's Team Pursuit.
Poland came 11th in the overall standings, with 4 golds, one silver and one bronze, the country's best result to date in the Olympics.
Meanwhile Kamil Stoch, who won gold in both the men's Normal Hill individual event, as well as the Large Hill individual contest, is already back in action in the World Cup's latest leg in Falun, Sweden. (nh)
Gold medallist and fireman Zbigniew Brodka is welcomed by his colleagues from the fire brigade after arriving at Warsaw's Chopin International Airport. Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymanski
Source: PAP/TVN