Chicago-Area Olympians Greeted at O'Hare

Cheering crowds lined Terminal 1 at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Monday evening to welcome the return home of several members of Team U.S.A.

"This is the best feeling ever.  To be just welcome home, like, this means the world to me that you guys are here, welcoming us and giving us this attention," said speed skater Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr. moments after deplaning. 

U.S. Women's Hockey Goalie Jessie Vetter from Wisconsin also returned home.

"It's unbelievable.  I mean, I never thought I would be in the Olympics in the first place and then to come away with an Olympic medal is unbelievalbe and it's something I'll remember forever," she said.

Proudly holding onto his medal, speedskater Brian Hanson was taken aback by all the attention.

This is just real cool, coming back.  We're super excited to have these medals and everything's gone beyond our expectations, so we're excited to be here and this is just great to have, you know, to have everyone here welcoming us home," he said shortly before signing a couple of autographs.

The Olympians said Vancouver was a great host and that they're looking forward to future Games.

"I am so psyched.  It's going to be in Sochi, and you know, we got a little introduction yesterday about what it's going to be like, and -- you just keep progressing, every Olympics.  You learn from your experiences.  This was just my first one.  There's many more to come.  And many more dreams to come true," said Swider-Peltz.

Contact Us