Double medals, double Olympians, as speed skater Denny Morrison goes home

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – He’s wearing silver and bronze medals captured at the Sochi Olympics, but the next few days will be golden for speed skater Denny Morrison on his first return to his northeastern British Columbia hometown since standing on the podium in Russia.

Morrison received an enthusiastic welcome from friends, relatives and fans at Fort St. John’s airport Tuesday night.

He delighted the waiting crowd with an unexpected surprise when fellow Olympian Gilmore Junio also stepped off the plane.

Junio give up his starting spot to Morrison in the 1,000-metre long-track final after Morrison fell and failed to qualify, which ended with the silver medal for Canada.

Junio says the two men were already friends, but Sochi brought them closer together, and they’ll share the upcoming week of celebrations, including an official reception at Fort St. John’s ice rink Wednesday night.

Morrison calls the homecoming “pretty cool,” adding he has dreamed of such a welcoming since his first international competition in 2003.(MooseFM)