Staff GB Olympic gold medallist Vicky Wright acquired a hero's welcome as she returned to her job as a nurse after clinching the highest prize in ladies's curling.
Cheers of "what an achievement" and "we're so proud" rang all through Ward B11 at Forth Valley Hospital in Larbert, the place the 28-year-old has labored for the final seven years.
The ward was wearing flowers, bunting and balloons, and even had its personal makeshift curling rink, which Wright took to right away and scored a bullseye every time.
The Scots athlete and her fellow ladies's curling crew gamers Eve Muirhead (captain), Hailey Duff, Jen Dodds and Mili Smith arrived again in Scotland only a week in the past after they crushed Japan 10-3 on the Beijing Winter Olympics this yr.
Ms Wright mentioned: "It is good to be again. It was an incredible welcome.
"Everybody was lined up within the hall clapping me in."
She mentioned the second she made eye contact with the ward's senior employees nurse Lisa McCann, "the tears began to return".
Wright, who lives in Stirling, decreased her hours on the hospital to concentrate on the Winter Olympics and performed a key function as vice-skip on Muirhead's crew, which ended up securing Britain's solely gold medal at this yr's Video games.
"I would not have my gold medal round my neck if it wasn't for all my colleagues," she mentioned.
"They've supported me so effectively and this medal is as a lot as theirs as mine."
Wright described the final two years working as a nurse throughout the pandemic whereas persevering with her curling as "an emotional rollercoaster".
"I do not assume anybody within the NHS has been capable of summarise the impact Covid-19 has had on us," she mentioned.
"It positively shall be a long-lasting impact.
"However I believe the Olympics has actually boosted morale in B11, they've been so proud.
"Everybody has been speaking about it they usually had been so uplifted this morning to see me come again in.
"It is one thing good to speak about, one thing constructive.
"They've seen me undergo all of it and been part of the journey, and to give you the option have fun the gold medal with me is simply good."
Talking concerning the second she was handed her gold medal, Wright mentioned: "It was a mixture of feelings.
"I used to be actually joyful, I used to be completely overcome, I burst into tears.
"It makes you realise all of your onerous work, blood, sweat and tears have lastly paid off, and you've got achieved your dream.
"I nonetheless cannot fairly put into phrases what it means but, but it surely's one thing particular.
"I do not assume it should settle in for some time."
Ms McCann mentioned the ward's employees had been determined to attempt on Wright's medal when the Olympic athlete walked by way of the door for the primary time since she left to compete within the Winter Video games.
"She's definitely carried out us proud," Ms McCann mentioned.
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"I solely had two hours' sleep the night time she acquired the gold as myself and 5 different employees linked up by way of FaceTime to look at the ultimate reside.
"We had been all crying once we noticed her being offered along with her medal. It was simply nice."