Olympian Austin Florian receives hero’s welcome in hometown Southington after Winter Video games – NBC Connecticut

Southington welcomed dwelling a hometown hero, Austin Florian, after his journey to the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.  

The celebration was match for an Olympian; there was large pleasure the second he walked by means of the door.

“To think an Olympian coming from Connecticut, just even having representation from a small state like this is kind of crazy,” stated Thomas Tanase.

Just about everybody was shocked somebody from Southington might go to this point.

“It’s really inspirational for everybody because it could have been anyone. I’m so glad it was him,” stated Braeden Eddy.

Florian was met with an enormous crowd and was escorted exterior, the place he was acknowledged for his feat. He positioned 7^th total within the combined Skeleton and 12^th total within the males’s race.

Community members had been following his Olympic journey step-by-step, and when it was time for a homecoming, organizers say throwing one thing for him was a no brainer.

“There have been few events that have brought our community together like this,” stated Chris Poulos, State Rep for Southington, including, “We can congratulate him and tell him we are proud of him.”

Mount Southington was joyful to host it too, contemplating his journey with winter sports activities began on the hill.

“It is incredible to have an athlete that came out of our race program, make it to the level, it’s not a ski racing discipline, but it’s snow and ice, so it’s fantastic,” stated Jay Dougherty, General Manager of Mount Southington.

Florian stated the quantity of help was overwhelming, however in a great way.

“I wish I could describe it, or put it into words,” Florian stated of the celebration.

He added that the video games have been all the pieces he dreamed of, from the opening ceremony to the races themselves. He was targeted on the race, so he was unplugged from a lot of the exterior noise whereas getting ready for his occasion. But post-race, he was capable of log again in, and he stated seeing the help was emotional.

“It took me hours to go through all the videos, all the texts, it was unbelievable and amazing,” Florian stated.

He was granted a proclamation by the state and was gifted the Connecticut state flag that flew over the capital whereas he was racing. A token of congratulations, which left the Southington star filled with gratitude.

“No matter who you were, a part of it, and I appreciate every single one of you,” Florian stated.