Wanaka turned on the sunshine yesterday as the nation’s Winter Olympians, Winter Paralympians, and other top snow sports athletes paraded through town in a celebration of their homecoming from the northern hemisphere. At first, the athletes hung back in shyness and appeared reluctant to gather behind the New Zealand flag. However, they were soon swamped by the public and the parade turned into a large, joyful procession for several hundred townsfolk, family and friends. Winter Paralympian Corey Peters won a gold and a silver medal in Beijing and was also happy to be home. The parade ended at the Lake Wanaka Centre where the athletes were swamped by children seeking autographs.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 23, 2022 07:16 UTC