These people are athletes nothing more. It was a sporting event end of. They are well paid and choose to compete. The way the media has covered it one would think they had survived mortal combat. I reserve my accolades for those that do. A shame we value them so little in comparison.

Gary, Swindon, Wilts

Bob is right, they may be amazing althletes but have no superpowers!

Richard Morgan, London, UK

I agree with Simon from Eastbourne. It wasn't too smart to put most of [note some weren't on the plane, like Nicole Cooke who came back a week early] the UK's top athletes, support staff, their equipment, and organizers on one plane - especially easily identifiable with a gold nose!

Jonathan Sklan-Willis, Manchester, England

Wow Congratulations to China - what a sensational piece of organisation, then London's horrific introduction, Owtch! what a mess in every way, 'Mad Max' Britain was so poorly featured at the closing ceremony I felt ashamed to be British, so thank God our atheletes reflected a more positive country.

John, Cardiff, Britain

Congratulations to Team GB but is it not nauseating to see the PM and Mrs. Tessa "Berlusconi" Jowell cashing in on the teams glory? What has the government done to support and encourage the athletes? Sponsorships? NO. Financial gifts? NO. Nothing except their hard won medals. No reward whatsoever.

george, London, UK

How many kayakers,rowers,cyclists & sprinters does it take to win a war? None but the traits to participate in sport are the same as the battlefield; Courage, communication, teamwork, sacrifice etc. Why do you think the Forces but so much emphasis on Sport & AT. Well done all our "hero" athletes.

Kevin, Durham,

Nearly everyone here seems to have a skewed sense of proportion, whether they are commenting on athletes or soldiers.

Heroes are people who do unexpected and inspiring things, surely? And brave things. So it's all very subjective, depending on what you think is important. Mine is Darwin.

monica, guildford,

Mr T, I didn't see drivel from you slagging off Boris Johnson's glad handing or idiotic ping pong speech. When did you last see Boris or Dave shaking hands with disabled soldiers. What a load of cobblers.
Since the farce in 1996, we've won more medals each time. What help were the Tories in this?

A Thomas, Lanchester,

Just a thought - How smart was it to put every effective athlete and trainer we have on the same plane.....even one with a gold nose?

Simon, Eastbourne, GB

British people get over yourselves and enjoy winning for once. The world knows that you love to lose, whine and complain, but have some respect for a bunch of amazing athletes who have broken with tradition. Winners are thin on the ground amongst the British these days.

Juan, Los Angeles, USA

There are "heroes" in ALL walks of life - even Olympic Heroes deserve to be recognised. Don't tarnish their success with negativity. Our military heroes will always be cherished by those who matter - the public.

J, Middlesbrough, UK

Gary - I read your post and it inspired me to become an olympian, 2 weeks every 4 years...get in! Only problem is some other people thought of it first and have been training for 6 days a week for the last 4 years and taken all the places. Oh well, I can always join the Armed Forces...

Ed, Nottingham, UK

Note the key use of 'Olympic heroes' therefore referring them to being heroes in the sporting sense no other, and obviously you just ignore the various members of government and state officials visiting solidiers both in Britain, Iraq and Afghanistan? Also Soldiers chose to join the army.

Jo, London,

They're not 'heroes', they're athletes. There's quite a difference.

Bob, Stalybridge, UK

Brown welcomes home Olympic heroes. When can we expect to see him to be on the tarmac greeting heroes of Afghanistan and Iraq? After all their sacrifice has been far greater by comparison or maybe there is no political capital to shake the hand of a soldier with no legs.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

Nothing annoys me more than to read the press fascination with our third rate footballers. They are shallow , vacuous people who do nothing to set an example and make us proud. Our olympians are the opposite: dedicated, articulate, modest, humble. What an inspiration. They deserve the welcome home.

Julian Smith, Mexico City, Mexico

Why is everyone calling Team GB "Heroe's", yes they did fantastically well but nothing heroic. The "Heroe's" are the Men, Women, Girls and Boys of the Armed Forces. It's an insult to the true Heroe's of this Nation when sports persons will be getting honours for doing two weeks work every 4 years.

Gary Cooper, Portsmouth,

Well Done Team GB on their exceptional games! You did Britain proud! To all those who participated whether you won a medal or not, you got to an Olympic games which is an honour in itself! Congratualtions to you all.

Nicola , Westhoughton,