Family and friends of Brad Kendell anxiously waited at Tampa International Airport Thursday afternoon for the Paralympic champion to return from Rio with his silver medal.
- Brad Kendell returns home with silver medal
- Kendell lost legs in 2003 plane crash that killed father
- Clearwater Yacht Club friends welcome Kendell home
The sailor, a double amputee, and his team won the medal for 3-person keelboat sailing (sonar class).
The homecoming was a heartwarming one for the Clearwater native.
“This means so much to me right now to have all my family and friends here. All the hard work that we’ve all put in has been incredible, and I can’t thank everybody enough," said an emotional Kendell.
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Friends from the Clearwater Yacht Club held signs and screamed with excitement.
"I knew he could do it, and I am just ecstatic,” said Valerie Knight, Clearwater Yacht Club member. “I believed it, but I can’t believe it, we’re just thrilled."
Kendell lost his legs in a plane crash in 2003 that killed his father. Brad and his dad sailed together when Brad was a child, and he’s sure they sailed together in Rio.
"Every day I pretty much woke up thinking about Dad over there in Rio,” Kendell said. "A lot of emails and text messages that I got after we won the medal (said), 'You know your dad was watching down on you, and I know he’s here.' It’s awesome, it really is."
Kendell is proud of being a silver medalist and proud to share the accomplishment with family and friends.
"Wearing this is an incredible feeling,” he said.
“I mean, you never imagine you’re going to win a medal in the Olympics or Paralympics and represent your country doing it. So it’s a huge honor and I couldn’t be happier."