Team GB land in UK after 'best ever' Olympic Games

Team GB land back in the UK

  • ITV News Sports Correspondent Ian Payne reports

Team GB has arrived back in the UK from Rio following their best Olympic Games for more than 100 years.

Great Britain won a historic 67 medals in Brazil - including 27 golds -amounting to their best ever away Games and most successful Olympics in over 100 years.

The team finished the Games in second place in the medals table, second only to the United States and one place ahead of China.

Shortly before 10am on Tuesday they landed back at Heathrow Airport following a long-haul flight.

Among Team GB's standout performers at the Games were Max Whitlock, Britain's first gymnast to win an Olympic medal, and Mo Farah, who secured back-to-back 5,000m and 10,000m golds.

  • 'Good to be back'

Whitlock and boxing champion Nicola Adams were first to emerge from the plane, as the whole team posed outside the aircraft to be photographed.

A number of GB athletes were quick to tweet the message "good to be back".

Despite their success at the Games, the Olympians didn't manage to leave the plane particularly quickly.

And it wasn't an easy task for the athletes picking up their luggage either.

  • A rapturous reception

Friends, family and fans crammed into arrivals as they waited for Team GB to emerge, many with Union Jack flags in hand.

Tom Daley, who won a bronze medal, told ITV News that he could not wait to "have a fry up".

This was the moment double Olympic champion Max Whitlock was reunited with his family.

Olympic swimming gold medallist Adam Peaty explained to ITV News he is looking forward to walking his dog and having some time off.

  • Flying back in style

On Sunday evening, the Olympic team began their 11-hour flight back to the UK.

Athletes were treated to champagne as they flew aboard a gold-nosed British Airways plane, emblazoned with the hashtag #GreattobeBack.

Seventy-seven extra bottles of champagne and treats were ordered for the flight, which served up a three-course meal.

There was even time for Max Whitlock to attempt a gymnastics move on the flight before touching down in the UK.

Max Whitlock posing on board the flight Credit: Twitter/Helen Glover

And the team pitched together to sing a rousing version of "God Save The Queen".

  • Wave of patriotism at Olympic success

Britain's success at Rio spurred on a wave of patriotism back in the UK, with praise for Team GB coming in from all quarters.

Prime Minister Theresa described herself as "extremely proud" of the Olympic team, while indicating there is "no cap" on the number of athletes who could be formally honoured.

Meanwhile, the Queen sent her "warmest congratulations" to Team GB, describing their performance over the 14 days as "outstanding".

There was also a clamour for the likes of Mo Farah, Jason Kenny and Laura Trott to receive top honours after starring roles in the Brazil goldrush.