Tunisians receive Olympic hero Oussama Mellouli

2008-08-25

Olympic swimmer and gold medal winner Oussama Mellouli made a triumphant return home to Tunisia on Saturday, received by family and fans at Carthage Airport.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 25/08/08

[Mona Yahia] Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli returned home to a hero's welcome on Saturday after winning Olympic gold in the men's 1,500m freestyle.

Tunisian swimming success Oussama Mellouli returned home a star on Saturday (August 23rd), flying in from Beijing where he won gold in the men's 1,500m freestyle at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Mellouli, who edged out Australia's Grant Hackett in the final with a time of 14:40.84 minutes, told the press gathered for his arrival, "I return to Tunisia carrying not just a medal, but a gold medal. It's the gold medal that all Tunisians have been waiting for. Thank God I did what I'm supposed to do, and even more."

He noted that the win was the fruit of huge efforts and months of endless work before the Olympics.

"I have realised the goal I set for myself before the start of these Olympic Games," Mellouli said. "I wanted to prove again that Tunisian sports can shine in major international events."

He added that he was prepared to raise the bar and achieve new successes in future world championships and the London 2012 Games.

The swimmer's father and siblings joined a throng of reporters and officials, including Minister of Sports Abdallah Kaabi, at Carthage International Airport to receive the new champion. They all expressed their happiness for Mellouli and his victory.

Bands provided a backdrop of folk music to add to the many posters and banners emblazoned with greetings reading "Welcome Tunisia's Champion" and "Welcome Gold Hunter."

Mellouli said he was touched upon seeing the scale of his reception.

Tunisian National Olympic Committee President Abd Hamid Slama said, "The greatest happiness was when the Tunisian flag was raised and we listened to the Tunisian national anthem being played in the biggest international sports event. We hope that new generations will follow in Mellouli's footsteps."

Outside the airport, hundreds of Tunisians waited, chanting Mellouli's name and carrying banners decorated with photos of the athlete and Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

They rushed to greet the Tunisian champion, who returned their greetings from inside an open vehicle.

Mellouli, wearing the gold medal on his chest and a Tunisian flag over his shoulder, waved signs of victory to the cheering fans.

Mohammed Gammoudi, gold medal-winner from the 1968 Games in Mexico City said, "We have been waiting a long time. Now the complex is over. We hope to have more than one Mellouli and more than one Gammoudi in the future."

With great happiness, Tunisian Swimming Federation President Arbi Chanhani said, "Mellouli didn't just honour Tunisian sports, but all African sports."

Many Tunisians also followed the closing ceremony of the Beijing Games on Sunday.

"I happened to be in a café by coincidence, and watched the closing ceremony which was truly awesome," said 35-year-old Tunis resident Mourad Zmerli.

"Actually, I wish one of the Arab states would host the Olympics and do a good job like China did."

Farid Brinssi told Magharebia he was impressed with the event, which gave viewers a glimpse of Chinese culture and civilisation.

"I started following the Olympics when Mellouli won the gold medal," said Mona. "Today, I saw a marvellous ceremony. It seems that the London Olympics will be equally impressive, based on what we saw in the event."