A crowd of lively fans dressed in red, waving Canadian flags and singing the national anthem flocked to VancouverB次元官网网址檚 airport Monday to greet Canadian Olympic gold medallists Cassie Sharpe and Patrick Chan, as well as other athletes returning from the Pyeongchang Winter Games.

Chan said it was just beginning to sink in that heB次元官网网址檇 won gold in the team skating event.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a nice feeling,B次元官网网址� the Toronto skater said with a grin, adding that he plans to leave it in his suitcase for a little while.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l take a look at it every once in a while. ItB次元官网网址檚 sometimes better to keep it away and then just enjoy it once in a while.B次元官网网址�

Chan, 27, is now set to retire, although he said he would continue to be involved in skating and perform at shows. He also hopes to eventually open his own skating school that will bring together Vancouver-area coaches and athletes.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e waited for so long, in a way,B次元官网网址� said Chan, who recently relocated to Vancouver. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a new beginning and a rebirth.B次元官网网址�

But first, heB次元官网网址檒l enjoy a rest.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 going to just take a week to not do anything, not be a skater, not be an athlete and just enjoy B.C., enjoy everything I love about this place,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 miss all the hikes that IB次元官网网址檝e been going on.B次元官网网址�

Sharpe, from Comox, also said she was excited to be back in her own bed, cook herself some food and B次元官网网址渏ust hang out.B次元官网网址� Her gold medal in freestyle skiing halfpipe was tucked into the pocket of her Team Canada sweater.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 phenomenal,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t feels even better to hold it on Canadian soil. It feels good bringing it home.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淧ersonally, itB次元官网网址檚 a bucket list thing. How many people get to say they won gold at the Olympics?B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淏ut then of course, feeling the pride and feeling everybody from Canada being so proud of you and being so happy that youB次元官网网址檙e bringing it home to them B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 incredible.B次元官网网址�

Athletes were returning home across the country Monday with star ice dancers slated to arrive in London, Ont., later in the evening and flag-bearer Kim Boutin among the Olympians touching down in Montreal.

WomenB次元官网网址檚 hockey veteran Meghan Agosta was wearing her silver medal as she arrived in Vancouver. She said it was B次元官网网址渦nfortunateB次元官网网址� that the final game against the U.S. ended in a 3-2 shootout loss.

B次元官网网址淲hen it comes down to a shootout, anything could happen,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut IB次元官网网址檓 so proud and happy with every single one of us girls in that room, we showed a lot of character, a lot of resilience.B次元官网网址�

Asked about her teammate Jocelyn LarocqueB次元官网网址檚 initial refusal to wear her silver medal on the ice, Agosta said it was the B次元官网网址渉eat of the moment.

B次元官网网址淭he decision that she made, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 any ill will,B次元官网网址� said Agosta. B次元官网网址淪he didnB次元官网网址檛 mean to disrespect anybody. We train so hard and we went there for gold. It was unfortunate that we ended up losing, but Jocelyn Larocque, sheB次元官网网址檚 an amazing leader, an amazing person, a great teammate.B次元官网网址�

Agosta took a year off from her job as a Vancouver police officer to train for the Olympics. She said she returns to the force in May.

Bobsled pilot Chris Spring of Priddis, Alta., who didnB次元官网网址檛 bring home a medal, said he was excited for his fellow athletes who did. He said he was driving well during the two-man race but made a poor choice of runners on the first day, and his efforts to be aggressive on the second day didnB次元官网网址檛 pan out.

B次元官网网址淗uge credit to the coaching staff and everyone behind the scenes, the mechanics,B次元官网网址� he said after arriving in Vancouver.

B次元官网网址淚 was excited to leave,B次元官网网址� he added with a laugh. B次元官网网址淚f you have a great Games, youB次元官网网址檙e excited to come home and share your results with Canada here, with family and friends. If you donB次元官网网址檛 have a great result at the Games, then youB次元官网网址檙e also pretty excited to get home.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址� With files from Laura Kane in Vancouver

The Canadian Press