THE VICTORIOUS American who took the Olympic gold medal in long jump made an emotional return home.
Talented athlete Jeff Henderson had an epic homecoming as he dedicated the win to his unwell mother.
Jeff, from Arkansas, returned to a hero’s welcome at his local airport and then rushed home to give his medal to his mother Debra, who is suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.
The 27-year-old athletics star has spoken publically about his mother’s battle and was delighted to deliver on a promise he made to her by becoming an Olympic champion.
He returned from Rio triumphant and dedicated his gold medal to her after winning gold last Saturday.
“The medal is just for her,” he said.
“She got sick when I was 17, 18 years old. It was hard for me to do that, and leave her there.
“Everything I did was for her. It was for God, for her and my family.”
Jeff posted a proud picture of his mother in bed with the medal laid next to her on his Instagram with the caption: “Mom this is for you.”
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Jeff claimed a narrow win in Rio, defeating silver medallist Luvo Manyonga from South Africa by just one centimetre.
A crowd of over a hundred were waiting for his plane to land when he arrived home on Wednesday, including students and coaches from his old high school.
His hero’s welcome was topped off by the black limousine waiting for him, decorated with black and gold balloons.
He said that he was looking forward to being allowed to eating a cheeseburger and fries after having to stick to a strict diet and training regime.
“I haven’t ate great food in, like, seven months,” he said of his plans.
“So, go home, see my mom, my family, hang out and see the fans.”
Jeff also plans to defend his title in Tokyo in four years’ time.
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