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Trafalgar Square packed as Britain's Olympic heroes welcomed to London

Xinhua, October 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Trafalgar Square in the heart of London was packed to capacity Tuesday as Britain's capital city welcomed their Olympic and Paralympic heroes.

The celebrations on a sunny afternoon came after almost 200,000 people Monday lined the streets of Manchester to cheer almost 400 members of the British athletes for their success in the Rio games.

Major road closures were put in place in streets around Trafalgar square as people started to arrive early to get a grandstand view of the event.

A large screen was set up nearby to enable those unable to get into the square to watch live coverage of the event.

The world famous military musicians from the Queen's Band of the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards gave the crowds a musical welcome.

The soldiers, in their familiar red tunics and bearskin hats, added color to the spectacle.

London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, said: "Our Olympic and Paralympic heroes have inspired millions of people all over the country and I'm incredibly proud of their amazing, record-breaking achievements."

"The London 2012 was exceptional and experts said it was a one off, but Team GB and Paralympics GB went to Rio and smashed it. We are now a sporting superpower."

Khan told the athletes, wearing their gold, silver and bronze medals: "You inspire us to get involved in sport and you inspire the next generation."

He said many of the athletes on the stage in London would be heading to the next games in Tokyo in 2020, while others who won gold in Rio would be retiring. The most famous of those retiring from athletics is one of Britain's most popular athletes Jessica Ennis-Hill, the current world heptathlon champion.

The events in Manchester and London were arranged after prime minister Theresa May said Britain should organise public events to thank the athletes for their successes in the Rio Games.

After the celebrations the Olympians and Paralympians headed to Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh.

In Rio Team GB won 67 medals, 2 more than in London four years earlier, and the Paralympic team saw their medal haul increase by 27 to 147. Endit