2021 Olympic Games: After Olympic successes: German sailors back from Japan

It was a joyful coming home for the German sailing medallists. Their plane landed at Hamburg Airport at around 10.35 pm yesterday. A little later, at around 11 pm, the Olympians Paul Kohlhoff, Alica Stuhlemmer, Erik Heil, Thomas Plößel and Susann Beucke stood in a large crowd of celebrating people.

Families, friends and numerous fans had been waiting for the athletes from Enoshima with German flags and banners. They cheered and applauded. The joy was almost deafening as the sailors stepped through the sliding door behind baggage reclaim one after the other.

There were hugs and many tears of joy. They were said to have celebrated on site until 1 a.m. "Thank you so much for this unique reception. It was a, no, it was the Olympic highlight. Thank you to everyone who cheered us on," wrote Susann Beucke afterwards. The North German Regatta Association (NRV), among others, had invited the Olympic sailors to the reception via Facebook.

Tina Lutz, who did not land in Hamburg but directly at Munich airport, was greeted by a Bavarian surprise: a traditional Schuhplattler dance. There, too, the joy of her return among friends and family was unmistakable. Meanwhile, the 470 sailors Luise Wanser and Anastasiya Winkel had to be patient - their flight is only scheduled for Friday. They are expected to arrive at Hamburg airport at around 10.35 pm today.

It became official for the athletes from Hamburg and Kiel the day after their return. Hamburg's sports senator Andy Grote honoured the Hanseatic city's sailors on Friday afternoon with a reception in the Olympic Lounge on the roof of the Chamber of Commerce. Kiel's mayor Holger Klink invited the medallists Susann Beucke, Paul Kohlhoff and Alica Stuhlemmer to a reception on the lawn next to the Kiel Yacht Club on Friday evening.