Jessica Ennis brings Midas touch home to Sheffield

Sheffield turned into a sea of gold as thousands packed into its centre to greet their homecoming Olympic queen Jessica Ennis.

Spectators, trees, lamp-posts, not to forget a postbox, wore the colour of her medal as the star heptathlete was greeted by mayor John Campbell.

"This is my home and this is the place that I love," Ennis told the eager crowd who had waited her arrival.

There were golden wigs, hats, shirts, and dresses as well as an abundance of gold medals around people's necks. "This is the steel city and now the steel has turned to gold," said one, watched over by the 80ft (24m) poster of Ennis adorning the side of the John Lewis store.

"It's like nothing I have ever seen before", said 26-year-old Ennis before going out to meet the crowd.

"Thank you so much to every single one of you here," Ennis told them. "If I could thank you all individually, I would. There are so many of you. You've been incredible – not just these past few weeks, but the past few years.

"You've always been there to support me. I can't thank you enough."

Ennis told Sky News: "It has been incredible to step out into Sheffield city centre and see all these people wearing gold."

She explained that she had no need to train abroad because she had everything she needed in Sheffield.

"We have such great sporting facilities. I have a great coach here. I have everything I need here."

The athlete, who went to school and trained in the city, has a degree in psychology from Sheffield University and is already commemorated on the city's Hollywood-style Walk of Fame.

This article was written by James Meikle, for The Guardian on Friday 17th August 2012 19.41 Europe/London

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