Australia’s Olympic athletes have received a heroes’ welcome after arriving in Sydney following the most successful Games in the country’s history.

Three days after the curtain fell on the Paris Games, hundreds of athletes arrived at a rainy Sydney Airport early on Wednesday morning to be greeted by friends, family and fans, and prime minister Anthony Albanese. 

Australia won 18 gold medals, 19 silver and 16 bronze for a 53-medal haul.

Arisa Trew, the 14-year-old who won park skateboarding gold, said she was still buzzing from the Games.

“I’m probably going to go to school tomorrow, because I love going to school,” she told AAP. 

“I can’t wait to see all my friends tomorrow or maybe tonight at the skate park.” 

Discus bronze medallist Matthew Denny said Paris had been “an amazing experience”.

“It’s been a great reception, and I think I am just really proud of being able to do something that makes a lot of other people happy,” he said. 

Team Australia was greeted by a plethora of officials including Mr Albanese, governor-general Sam Mostyn and opposition leader Peter Dutton.

This post was originally published on Michael West.