Rio 2016: Paralympians return home after Rio gold haul

Paralympics GB medallists have returned to the UK on a special flight from Rio as dates for parades to celebrate athletes' success have been confirmed.

Parades will be held in Manchester on 17 October and London a day later, sports minister Tracey Crouch said.

The Paralympic medallists' British Airways flight arrived into London's Heathrow on Tuesday morning.

Great Britain won 147 medals - 64 of them gold - at the Paralympics and 67 medals - 27 golds - at the Olympics.

Both teams broke their medal tallies from London four years ago, and finished second in their medal tables.Ms Crouch said the competitors had been an inspiration to millions.

"I know that Manchester - a city with a rich sporting history - and London - with its strong links with the Olympic and Paralympic Games - will host brilliant celebrations that will give the British public a chance to say thank you to our amazing athlete heroes," she said.

Waiting for the athletes at Heathrow on Tuesday, double-gold medallist Kadeena Cox's sister Carmel Williams said: "We thought she was going to come back with some golds. But breaking a few world records that's a major achievement.

"I'm just excited to see her."The government said it was working with the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association and both cities to finalise the details of the parades.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that he was delighted to confirm a "heroes' return" for the country's Olympians and Paralympians.Among the British Olympic successes in Rio were track cyclists Jason Kenny and Laura Trott, who between them won five golds, taking the couple's gold medal tally to 10.

Runner Mo Farah repeated his London 2012 double, winning gold in the men's 10,000m and 5,000m and swimmer Adam Peaty broke the world record as he won gold in the men's 100m breaststroke. He was the first British man to win an Olympic swimming gold medal since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988.

Medical files

At the Paralympics, Dame Sarah Storey capped off a successful games by winning a third gold medal in the cycling road race, taking her career total to 14 across swimming and cycling.

Kadeena Cox won cycling gold and athletics gold, silver and bronze and was flagbearer in the closing ceremony while runner Jonnie Peacock took T44 100m gold.

Paralympics GB chef de mission Penny Briscoe said it was right and fitting that the athletes would receive a welcome in the two cities.

Team GB chef de mission Mark England said it would be a proud moment for all the athletes.

However, details of the celebrations come as a further round of GB athletes, including Olympic champion Mo Farah, have had their medical files made public by internet hackers.

The files mostly deal with therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs), which allow athletes to take banned substances for verified medical needs. There is no suggestion that those named are involved in any wrongdoing.