Residents prepare to celebrate return of Homer’s two-time Olympic gold medalist

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Homer resident Kristen Faulkner sped away from the Paris Olympics this summer with two gold medals in cycling.

She made Olympic history by helping the U.S. women’s team win its first-ever gold medal in the women’s team pursuit track race.

Three months after the closing ceremony, she’s finally making her way back north.

Brad Anderson, executive director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, says her friends, family and neighbors are eagerly awaiting her return.

“We as a community had so much fun watching what happened with the Olympics, engaging with their parents on that whole journey, and this is our chance to welcome her back,” he said.

Faulkner will be back in Homer for the Christmas holiday.

In celebration, the Homer Chamber of Commerce, the City of Homer, Land’s End Resort, and the Homer Cycling Club are organizing a welcome home reception at the homer High School Mariner Theater on Friday, Dec. 27, at 3 p.m.

Former Homer mayor and longtime family friend Ken Castner says Faulkner’s story is an example of how sports can help bring a community together.

“We’re not related to her, but we kind of know her or know somebody that knows her,” he said. “It’s just that feeling of ... we’re somehow connected into that circle of excellence.”

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