Homecoming surprise for Olympic artistic champions

The duo said it was a "crazy" suprise to see everyone on their street

Family, friends and neighbours have "proudly" welcomed home Olympic silver medallists Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe.

Bristol athletes Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe were awarded a silver medal in the Duet Technical Routine category at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Ms Shortman's sister Chloe said it had been a "whirlwind" and is "proud" to see them "finally get the recognition they deserve".

The silver medallists said it was a "crazy" surprise after their long journey back home.

Ms Thorpe said: "We are proud Bristol girls through and through"

"I feel like we've been running on such a high since the competition and when we got back on the train our energy levels were dipping, we hadn't slept very well," Ms Thorpe said.

"Then to see everyone again at home, it brought it all back.

"We are proud Bristol girls through and through."

Ms Shortman said it was a "crazy" surprise.

The athletes brought home Great Britain's first ever Olympic medal in artistic swimming

Ahead of their final performance on Saturday, they told BBC Sport they were ready to "fight to the death" for a medal.

"We are going to put our heart into it and leave it all in the pool," they said.

The duo had entered the Duet Free heat just a few points off the bronze medal position.

Their winning score saw them rise from fourth to second in the overall standings.

Isabelle's mother and team manager Karen Thorpe (left) said the win is "slowly sinking in"

Ms Shortman's sister said she "cheered so loudly" that she lost her voice.

"Everything's been a complete whirlwind. It's so lovely to see them finally get the recognition that they deserve," she said.

"When they got the score I forgot how to breathe. We can't wait to have her aback and give her a big squish."

Ms Shortman's boyfriend Bernardo Ascione it was the "best day of our lives".

"People will now see the medals and everything that comes with this great achievement, but they don't know the hours they've put into this."

'No longer a pipe dream'

Father Andy Thorpe and mother and performance director Karen Thorpe said they feel "shell shocked".

"It's slowly sinking in," Mrs Thorpe said.

"Knowing how much it meant to them, it was really special.

"When they put the medals over their heads I thought wow, we've won a medal at the Olympic games, it's no longer a pipe-dream."