Sport 19-10-2004 Team GB On Parade who: The Queen what: Meets British Olympic stars at culmination of parade where: Buckingham Palace, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "The sun shone on their parade, and the medals shone in the sun," writes The Telegraph`s Andrew Baker. "Britain`s Olympic and Paralympic athletes paraded through central London yesterday lunchtime, and the capital`s citizens gave them a hearty, if belated, welcome home." "Double gold champ Kelly Holmes delighted fans by chatting to them en route," says The Sun. "She was joined by rowers Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell, boxer Amir Khan and relay sprinters Mark Lewis-Francis, Darren Campbell, Jason Gardener and Marlon Devenish." "The parade set off from the Ritz in Piccadilly," says The Evening Standard, "a parade of five floats featuring no fewer than 47 medallists and accompanied by double-deckers in special London 2012 livery." "Officially the thousands who gathered in central London were there to offer Britain`s Olympic and Paralympic medallists a final curtain call," says The Guardian. "Their presence was also a crucial element in London`s bid to win the right to host the 2012 summer games." "The office of London`s mayor said that an estimated 15-20,000 had gathered in Trafalgar Square, where a reception was held for the athletes," says the BBC. "The crowds were smaller than expected - and a fraction of the estimated 750,000 who turned out to cheer on the World Cup-winning rugby union team last December." [... more]

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