Russia's 5,000 metres World Champion Olga Yegorova, at the centre of a doping controversy over the past month, received a hero's welcome in Moscow today after returning home from the World Championships in Edmonton.
A jubilant crowd, including high-profile sports officials, media and fans, greeted Yegorova as she emerged from the customs area at Moscow's Domodedovo international airport.
"We are proud of all our champions and medal winners, but I think Olga deserved special praise," said Russia's Sports Minister Pavel Rozhkov.
"She is a real hero, especially after what she has done. She may be small in size, but has a big heart and showed a true Russian character by overcoming all the odds and coming home with a gold medal," Rozhkov said.
Yegorova created a huge media storm after testing positive for EPO at a Paris meeting in July. She was initially suspended from the championships but was later cleared to compete on a technicality.
Yegorova, who always denied using the stamina-boosting drug, passed another test for the substance at the championships.
"I don't consider myself a hero," said a weary-eyed Yegorova following her 14-hour flight from Edmonton.
"But I wouldn't want anyone to experience the ordeal I went through in the last couple of weeks," she added.
"I'm just an athlete and I came to the world championships to compete. Even during the worst days I never gave up hope that I would be allowed to compete because I know I have not done anything wrong. I'm just glad it's all over now."