Over a thousand throng airport to welcome legendary cycling duo home
Portuguese cyclists Iúri Leitão and Rui Oliveira – the Madison Olympic champions at Paris2024 – have admitted they were “speechless” at the welcome they received at Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport after their historic victory.
“There are no words”, Rui Oliveira told reporters last night, in awe of the over a thousand supporters waiting to honour their return. “It’s lovely to see these Portuguese here celebrating with us. I honestly didn’t (expect so many). It’s very special, thank you all,” he said.
The two cyclists – Leitão a double medal winner having clinched a silver days before – took a while to assimilate the bumper reception.
“It’s amazing what we’re seeing here. It’s unbelievable (…)”, said Iúri, who described the pair’s achievement as “the biggest victory cycling has ever had in our history. We’ve never reached such heights, especially at the Olympic Games”.
For the 26-year-old from Viana do Castelo this moment “is going to be a very good catapult” for the sport: both recalled their departure a fortnight ago for Paris, with “a dream” in the Olympic debut of Portuguese men’s track cycling.
“Two weeks ago we were here and it was practically empty. We were going with a dream, to make our Olympic debut on the track, and to come back with gold in the most important race. We couldn’t ask for a more beautiful moment,” said Rui Oliveira.
Despite everything, Iúri Leitão said the “big goal” two weeks ago was to finish in the top eight. They had barely dreamt a gold medal was in their reach.
Thus “bringing home two (medals) is indescribable,” he beamed.
For his teammate: “I still can’t get over the fact that we’re Olympic champions. We have to enjoy this moment, I hope everyone is with us and doesn’t forget about track cycling. In October there’s the World Championships, and year after year we’ll keep trying to grow,” said Rui Oliveira.
The 27-year-old from Vila Nova de Gaia also stressed the need to keep up support for sports in general, not just track cycling.
Source: LUSA
