Welcome our heroes home

Fans still wanting to catch a dose of the Olympic spirit are encouraged to welcome home members of Team Cook Islands from the London showcase when they arrive this afternoon.

Flagbearers from the opening and closing ceremonies, sailor Helema Williams and weightlifter Luisa Peters respectively, will arrive home on flight NZ46 along with sprinters Patricia Taea and Patrick Tuara.

They will be joined on the plane home by Cook Islands Sport and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) secretary general Rosie Blake. Also aboard the flight will be John Teiti, Sam Pera, Unakea Kauvai, Siniva Marsters, Romani Katoa and Anne Tierney.

A pure from Reverend Aratangi will be followed by a formal turou ceremony that will take place at Rarotonga International Airport before the athletes head home.

However, the proceedings don’t stop there for the Olympians, with formal welcoming ceremonies from the Ui Ariki on Saturday evening and a church service at the Apostolic Church in Tupapa on the agenda.