10 | September | 2012 | avicenna2020

Publiée le 10 sept. 2012 par itnnews

Thousands celebrate Britain’s Olympians and Paralympians as they parade through London. . Report by Lindsay Brown.

Sportstars including Sir Chris Hoy, Rower Kath Grainger, Jessica Ennis, Hannah Cockcroft and Jonnie Peacock proudly wore their medals as they waved to fans from open-top floats which wound their way through streets full of fans.

Despite the Paralympics coming to a close with a rousing ceremony on Sunday night, the celebrations continued with a carnival-like atmosphere in the city.

Ahead of the parade setting off, Sir Chris said: “This isn’t really for us this is for them because they’ve made the Games.

“They’ve made the atmosphere, they’ve supported the athletes, not just in the venues, but through the streets, and the pubs, the public venues, it’s been incredible.

“So it’s our chance to give them a wave and a thank you for all the support they’ve given us.”

Olympic gold medallist in double sculls rowing Grainger said: “We never really knew how many people would turn up, maybe we thought people would have gone back to work or been fatigued by the last month. But my word, we could never have expected this.”

Around 800 athletes travelled on 21 floats, grouped in alphabetical order by their sport, departed from Mansion House in the City just after 1.30pm following a fanfare of trumpets.

The crowds, dozens deep in places, were a sea of red, white and blue as fans waved Union flags at the passing floats. Many also held up home-made banners, with some donning patriotic fancy dress for the occasion.