FLINT'S Golden Girl Jade Jones has been given an emotional homecoming party after her return from Tokyo 2020.

Jade was treated to an open top bus tour of the town, a parade, a civic reception and a warm welcome from crowds of supporters from the local community.

The civic reception was hosted by the Mayor of Flint, Cllr Mel Buckley, with a parade featuring local children from the Urban Fusion Street Dancers and Deeside and Flintshire Taekwondo Team.

A banner on the balcony of the town hall summed up the spirit of the occasion, proudly declaring 'Welcome home Jade! We're proud of you'.

Jade, 28, was joined at the event by family and friends, including her mum Jayne Furguson, stepdad Darren Loty, partner Jordan Gayle and fellow Olympian Bianca Walkden, who won bronze at Tokyo 2020. The reception was also attended by Senedd Members Hannah Blythin and Carolyn Thomas.

Emotional day

The parade and town hall reception were followed by a party organised by the landlady of the George and Dragon and pillar of the community, Lynda Leigh, who said it was an emotional day.

She added: "It was a fantastic turn out! The whole town was out - from little kids to the elderly. We'd like to thank the whole of Flint because the support for Jade from day one has been amazing. And a big shout out to Cllr Michelle Perfect, who has pulled it out the bag in organising this event, even down to the last details like the children doing dancing and taekwondo in the parade. Jade and her family didn't know there was going to be a parade and so that was it, then, once they saw it the tears started rolling!

"It was a fantastic day. Jade is such a brilliant role model for young people and they love her."

Rapturous reception

Lynda said that she had even made some special Olympic medal chocolate lollies for the occasion, emblazoned with 'You're the best!' and this had led to a funny moment with Jade and Bianca.

She explained: "I gave them both a lolly and they said 'so which one of us is the best?' and I thought, oh, what I have I done here and I said 'sorry ladies, I've got to go now, bye!"

The Flint-born athlete had hoped to be bringing home her third consecutive gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – having already won gold at both London and Rio.

Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, as Jade was eliminated in the first round of her matchups on Sunday, July 25, leaving the Games empty-handed.

It was clear, however, from the rapturous reception she received in her home town, that Jade Jones will always be Flint's Golden Girl.