Kenya's national Olympics team received a hero's homecoming on Wednesday night, which threw the airport into a standstill as the triumphant athletes landed from the plane.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka led family members, friends, athletics officials and curious onlookers to welcome Kenya's heroes back home.

Team captain Wilfred Bungei, who won 800m gold said it was a happy moment for him to have finally won an Olympic gold.

"I would like to thank Kenyans for all the support they have given us and the fact that they did not lose hope. I am so happy to have finished with a gold medal," said Bungei.

"It was very tough and especially when I saw that the guys were coming fast, I was shocked to cross the line first. As we speak now I am the happiest man now having achieved this. It was overwhelming as I crossed the line first," he said on arrival.

"It was a complete shock for me when I crossed the line, I said 'Jesus' did I do that? The field was very tough."

Marathon gold medalist Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, who was among the athletes that arrived Wednesday evening, was thrilled for being the first Kenyan to win an Olympic marathon gold. "My gold was for the pride of Kenya. We worked as a team," he said.

"I am delighted with the crowd that came to meet us. If we get such support every time, then I have no doubt that we shall go on to do great things," said Wanjiru.

Traditional dancers were at hand to welcome the team which put up a sterling performance in Beijing recording Kenya's best ever performance at the games by winning 14 medals including five gold, five silver and four bronze.

"I am willing to go on if given the chance to coach Kenya. I am pleased with the athletes who did as instructed. We should not rely on athletics alone and should encourage more sports disciplines to succeed," said Coach Julius Kirwa.

"These results are the reflection of all the training we did in Ngong, Ruiru and Athi River as we sought to ensure that our team was well prepared," he said, adding that the men's 800 meters gold was the sweetest. "People had given up hope but at the camp we were hopeful and the captain gave it his all."

Kenya finished top among African nations and 15th overall on the medals table at the Beijing Olympics Games with 14 medals, a better performance than much bigger economies like Canada (19th) and Brazil (23rd).

The red carpet was rolled out for the triumphant team before being ushered into a local restaurant in Nairobi where the heroes and heroines were treated to sumptuous food.

The grand welcome continues on Thursday where a luncheon in the team's honour will be held at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani.

However, not all the athletes returned with the team as some proceeded to Europe for some Grand Prix races. Olympics 800 meters champion Pamela Jelimo and Janeth Jepkosgey are in Zurich for Friday's IAAF Golden League race.

Jelimo is in the race for the 1 million U.S. dollar golden jackpot. She has to win the last two races of the Golden League series to get the prize.

There is nothing that stands on her way to claim a stake in the money after dominating her event this season including the Beijing Olympics.

The two parade in Zurich, looking for their fifth win after winning the last four series unchallenged. To have a claim in the lucrative jackpot, one is required to win at least six meetings in earmarked events scattered across Europe.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is expected to symbolically receive the flag from team captain Bungei in the east town of Mombasa on Friday.

"They will be flown back to Nairobi ... before being released to travel to their homes on Saturday," said sports commissioner Gordon Oluoch.

(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2008)