Inaugural kayak cross gold medallist Finn Butcher returned to Dunstan High School, in Alexandra, to a hero’s welcome from staff and students.
Still on cloud nine, Butcher was back at the school he left 12 years ago.
"I was like ‘holy did that just happen?’ Going into the final I knew I had a good shot to win but didn’t let myself realise it until I was leaving that last up-chute and knew I was going to be in front.
"Just looking to the side and seeing heaps of my friends running down and then afterwards looking up at the crowd it was the most amazing feeling.
"The euphoria of getting to hold the gold medal and bring it home had been crazy.
"Honestly I’m still on cloud nine and I don’t think I’ll be down for some time."
He had not let the medal out of his sight for very long since getting it, he said.
Principal Andrew King said Dunstan High School had placed 54th on the Olympic medal table thanks to Butcher and cyclist Nicole Shields.
"It’s amazing what such a small school from such an amazing community can actually achieve."
Butcher said it was very special to come back to his high school in his home town.
Staying in the Olympic village with a population of 30,000 — about five the times that of Alexandra — with flags flying was "an incredible bubble".
"It was a dream since I was a little kid to be able to go to the Olympics, just to attend and be there that was part of the moment where I was like we’re kind of ticking off little Finn’s goals."
One of his goals was to enjoy every moment of the event.
"Lots of people go to the Olympics, it’s obviously going to be stressful, but they didn’t let themselves enjoy the moment.
"It’s a pretty cool experience and a pretty cool opportunity to go and represent New Zealand on that stage so I just really wanted to enjoy every moment of it and that’s what I did."
He presented teacher Allan "Bones" Hamilton with one of his Olympic singlets and a selection of photographs.
"Bones had always said to me we need a singlet for the Hall of Fame and I kept telling him I’m not done yet, I’m not giving you anything until I’m done.
"I’m still not finished but I got a wee thing to go up on the wall."
"Bones, I can’t give you my medal but you can have a photograph of me wearing it."
After the assembly Butcher had his photograph taken with students including fellow kayaker and red head Adeline Ball who was wearing her gold medal from last year’s South Island Secondary School canoe polo competition.
