Team GB arrive home in style

Team GB arrive back in the UK after finishing second in Rio 2016 Olympic medal table, surpassing their London 2012 medal haul. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

GREAT Britain's record-breaking Olympics in Rio has been hailed as "the best sporting achievement" in the country's history by chef de mission Mark England.

Team GB - which included Oldham's hockey golden girl Nicola White - brought back 67 medals, their highest number from an overseas Games and a total that exceeded their haul from the London 2012 Games.

A large number of athletes arrived at Heathrow shortly before 10am, having flown home on a chartered British Airways flight - BA2016.

The team were shown singing God Save The Queen ahead of take-off, with BA providing 77 extra bottles of champagne on a special plane that was emblazoned with 'victoRIOus' and featured a gold-coloured nose.

Having become the first nation to beat their medal total from a preceding home Olympics, England was full of praise for Team GB's efforts.

"I think it is the best sporting achievement by any team in British sporting history," he said at a press conference at Heathrow.

"I think when we arrived just an hour or so ago it was overwhelming the reception that we got, not just from British Airways but also everyone who is in Terminal 5.

"It gave an immediate sense of the enormity of the achievement British athletes have posted in Rio de Janeiro."

Double gold medal-winning gymnast Max Whitlock and Nicola Adams - who defended her women's flyweight boxing gold - were chosen to lead Team GB off the plane once it landed at Heathrow slightly ahead of schedule.

The 11-hour flight back to London saw the athletes post several pictures to social media, with many joining the captain in the cockpit for a photo opportunity and groups gathering for pictures in the cabin.

Adam Peaty, who won Britain's first medal at the Games with gold in the 100m breaststroke before adding the 4x100m medley relay silver, was pleased to be home.

"Touch down! Back in the greatest country in the world #GreattobeBAck @British_Airways,'' he tweeted.

Peaty was also praised by England for getting the Olympics off to a great start for Team GB as he broke the world record twice to take the 100m breaststroke gold.

"Adam gave the team the start it required," England added.

"To win the first medal and a world record, it was a fantastic achievement and permeated through the rest of the athletes."