Olympic Madison champions back home

By Hernan Alvarez

Olympic Games Madison's winners – Argentina's Juan Curuchet and Walter Perez – returned to their hometown in Mar del Plata on Thursday. The duo received an affectionate welcome as 4,000 people gathered on the streets to see them with the two golden medals they won in Beijing.

Perez and Curuchet arrived in the city via a fire fighter's truck. They saluted the crowds standing at the top of the vehicle that went at a very slow pace. The riders also visited the local city hall and velodrome.

Curuchet was born in Mar del Plata was brought to tears when he reached his hometown. "It is a dream coming true," he said to the media. Juan also stated that it was his happiest moment of his life.

The medal represents the first gold in the history of the Argentinean cycling. Curuchet, 43, highlighted his career after with rides in six Games – Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. The duo also won world championship gold during the 2004 Madison race in Melbourne, Australia.