Region's Olympians return home

August 26, 2008

By Parvaneh Pessian

TORONTO -- As the Olympic athletes emerged from the Pearson International Airport terminal exit one by one Monday night, Annetta Charles rocked back and forth on her heels and bit her bottom lip.

Her husband Keith stood several metres away, stuck in a massive crowd, with a bouquet of flowers in his hands and a smile from ear to ear.

The couple from Pickering was at the airport to welcome home their 23-year-old daughter, Tabia Charles, who competed in the long jump event at the Beijing Games. They were among hundreds of other spectators, including loved ones, fans and media representatives filling the designated corner of the airport in anticipation of the arrivals.

Tabia Charles nabbed 10th spot with her best leap of 6.47 metres.

"It's been so stressful," Annetta Charles said. "I couldn't eat or sleep the whole time she's been there, so it's a relief now to see her back."

Linda Henry, also from Pickering, was there to greet her son Anson, 29, whose team ranked sixth in the 4x100m relay in a time of 38.66, with Anson running the second leg.

"It's just a dream come true for him and we're happy," she said. "We support him all the way."

It's been a month since the families saw their children. Both mothers said they tried to limit contact with them so the athletes could stay focused on their goal.

As Tabia Charles finally came through the doors, Mr. Charles began chanting her name, followed by cheers from the crowd.

When asked how it felt to be home, Ms. Charles said she was happy but expressed disappointment in falling short at the Games.

"I keep going back to the jump in my head and I was a little sad about it, but I feel good at the same time," she said. "I was so anxious last night because I haven't been home in so long and I'm happy to be here."

Despite the 13-hour flight home, all the returning athletes stopped for the cameras, signed autographs and spoke with people in the crowd before shuffling through the masses with their baggage in tow. Some of them, including Ms. Charles and Mr. Henry, were suffering from a slight cold they said was going around near the end of the trip.

Whitby's Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, bronze medal winner for the 100m hurdles, didn't make the journey home with her fellow athletes, as she's working her way toward another competition in Europe.