Homer to welcome home Olympic gold medalist after months away

HOMER, Alaska (KTUU) - Kristen Faulkner’s golden moment in Paris over the summer has been an accomplishment worth waiting for, and Homer residents will finally get the chance to celebrate with her in person on Friday.

The double gold medalist will be celebrated in an event at the Homer Mariner Theater in the town’s high school at 3 p.m. Friday.

The event will allow people to meet Faulkner, see her medals, and get a close-up look at some of the equipment she uses, including her bikes, according to Homer Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brad Anderson. There will also be some giveaways at the event.

“Most importantly she wants to meet with the kids just to share her story and if whatever she can do to encourage them to follow something similar in their lives,” Anderson said in an interview Thursday with Alaska’s News Source.

Faulkner returned to Alaska on Friday, arriving at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to a crowd of supporters, but it came months after her stunning performances at the Paris Summer Olympics.

The 32-year-old cyclist claimed gold medals in the women’s road race and the team pursuit event. Faulkner wasn’t even slated to start the road race — her stronger event — until the final days before the event.

Once in the race, Faulkner stayed with the leaders until the final mile of the 98-mile race, putting on a surge of speed to separate herself and cruise to the victory. She also became the first American to win gold in the women’s road race in 40 years.

Three days later, she was at it again, this time in the women’s team pursuit final in a very different environment — a high-banked oval track. Faulkner rode with three other USA teammates to capture the gold medal, her second of the games.

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