BMX Olympic medal winner Declan Brooks returns to skatepark where it all began

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Mike Pearse

Hundreds of BMX fans turned out in Southsea on Saturday afternoon (7 August) to welcome home Olympic bronze medal winner Declan Brooks. 

He went to meet fans and supporters at the club where he first rode at nine years old.

His talent has seen him recently clinch the bronze medal in the Men's BMX Freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"It's been out of this world. BMX riders have never been to an Olympics before and I didn't know what to expect.

"To be honest, it's been the best thing I've ever done. I can't wait to do it again in three years time."

Supporters in Southsea say he's a perfect role model for the sport, allowed for the first time at this year's Olympics.

Watch: Fans share excitement at meeting Declan

Declan says he plans to have a 'month or two' off, before setting his sights on the Olympics in Paris in 2024.

He said: "Gold would be nice!"

"It takes a lot of hard work to get there, so the next three years are almost going to be harder than the three years that have just happened."

Saturday has given many of his fans the chance to say thank you to their hero.