SCOTT Hann was left overjoyed after finally being able to celebrate Max Whitlock’s Olympic medals with his family and close friends in Basildon.
Hann - who coaches both Whitlock and Brinn Bevan at the South Essex Gymnastics Club - was in Rio to mastermind the incredible success.
But he was delighted to be reunited with several familiar faces on his return to his home-town.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Hann at the club’s base at Basildon Sporting Village, in Cranes Farm Road.
“When you come back home to your home environment and see the support you’ve got like this it means so much.
“We’ve all been overwhelmed by it all because this is personal.”
Hann and his gymnasts stayed in Rio for a further six days following Whitlock’s success.
But they could not wait to get back to Basildon.
“You’re in a bubble out there, it’s job done and you’re on top of the world but a lot of the people that matter weren’t there to celebrate with,” said Hann.
“It wasn’t like London, so coming back here is our high.
“We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone who means everything to us.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here