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IT was a special time in the Shoalhaven on Saturday night, with two Rio Olympians making a visit to two very proud grandparents.
Brother and sister Will and Jaime Ryan, fresh from the Sydney and Brisbane welcome home events, made a beeline to Nowra to visit their grandparents, doctors Bill and Pat Ryan.
Will, of course won a silver medal with his crewmate Mat Belcher in the 470s at Rio, while Jaime and Carrie Smith just missed the final in the women’s event.
“It’s great to be back and spend some time with the family,” said Will as his half kilogram silver medal was passed around.
“It’s the best thing that has happened in 29 years,” joked Dr Bill.
“It is wonderful to have them home,” said Dr Pat “We are just so proud of both of them.”
Will said winning the silver medal was very special.
“It was an amazing experience to go over there and to come home with something to show to all the people who have supported and put so much effort into helping me follow my dreams,” he said.
“To come back here, showcase it and to be just home with all the family, there is nothing better.”
Jaime said it was great to be able to share such an experience with her brother.
“We had a great time over there, we didn’t do as well as this guy (pointing to Will) but it was very special share it with the family,” she said.
“It was cool to have my brother there and share the experience. It’s pretty unique and really special.”
The pair occasionally train together and pass on tips, with Will saying his sister often has a far more important role.
“She usually makes sure I’m wearing the right things,” he laughed.
“It has been really cool over years to be able to help and support each other.
“Being on the road and travelling, with so much time away, it is nice have a familiar face there.
“To go to the Olympics and walk through the closing ceremony together was really amazing.”
The grandparents were rightfully extremely proud.
“I think it is the only time pride is allowed,” Dr Bill said.
“We have 18 grandchildren so we can’t say too much but we are proud of all of them. They are all great,” Dr Pat said.
“For years if I met an Olympian on the street and if they said this is so and so and you shook their hand, you wouldn’t wash your hand for a week.
“Now I’ve got two of them in the family. I can’t believe it.”
“Now you can’t wash the other hand,” Bill joked
Proudly holding the medal, Dr Bill did the mandatory biting test and and looked like he wasn’t going to give it up.
“I don’t mind,” said Will “I’ve tried all my life to be like him so if he wants to hold onto it, it’s fine with me.”
Asked what was next, the proud grandfather chirped in “Tokyo”.
“I’d like to keep the momentum going and having come away with this latest experience we are still hungry for more. Four years is a bit of time away,” Will said.
“At the moment I’m spending some time drinking some good coffee and enjoying time with family and friends relaxing.”
But there won’t be much of a break, their next major competition is the World Cup in Melbourne in December.
“That the next big one we’ll be aiming for,” Jaime said.
The family laughed about Will being caught in the middle of a UK media storm. The day after Australia Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller cracked down on athlete’s behaviour a story appeared about the Aussie sailors celebrating their success. Including was a photo for Will being kissed by two attractive young ladies. The caption stated he was getting close to the locals, but it was actually his two sisters Jaime and Elise congratulating on his success.