'So many great memories!': Gymnastics star McKayla Maroney reveals her private Olympics photo album as she flies home to stardom... and now she really IS impressed
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She may be known for her snarl after missing out on individual gold, but gymnast McKayla Maroney couldn't be grinning any wider as she enjoyed her last few moments in London and returned home.
The 16-year-old tweeted photographs of her fond farewell - managing a few final tourist stops - before she arrived on home soil with other Team USA athletes and their haul of medals.
She shared a photograph of her walking through the terminal upon arriving in New York City, in a Ralph Lauren blazer, red, white and blue scarf with a Louis Vuitton bag.
'So good to be back in the states... I'm really going to miss London though, so many good memories!❤' she tweeted.
Welcome Back: Gymnast McKayla Maroney has been sharing pictures of her return to the U.S. from London. Here she walks through the terminal after arriving back in New York City
It came after Mackayla, who won gold in the women's team final, posted happy snaps of her teammates as they waited for the Closing Ceremony to begin on Sunday night.
Earlier in the day she had been cramming in as many London tourist destinations as she could, stopping off at the London bridge with her mum and posting a picture of her inside a quintessential red telephone booth.
After landing back in the U.S., she tweeted pictures of one of her first stops - the Today show.
Wearing red, white and blue, their gold medals and matching grins, the 'Fierce Five' - Kyla Ross, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and Maroney - appeared alongside singers Nicki Minaj and Jordin Sparks.
Model Maroney: The 16-year-old crammed as many London tourist destinations in as she could, stopping off at the London bridge with her mum and posting a picture inside the quintessential red telephone booth
Star gymnasts: McKayla Maroney posted happy snaps with Alexandra Raisman as they waited for the ceremony to begin
Fierce Five: The gold-winning gymnasts get ready to appear on the Today show. Left to right: Kyla Ross, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas
'Got to meet one of my favorite singers today!! Love youu @NickMinaj,' she tweeted, before uploading a picture of the Fierce Five with the singer.
McKayla was not the only member of Team USA who tweeted messages and pictures as she returned to their hometowns, where they will be no doubt heralded as heroes.
The athletes, who tallied a total of 104 medals, were quick to celebrate being reunited with their friends, family, and all-American hamburgers as they returned.
'Home sweet home! It feels good to be back on U.S. soil. Now i need a good American burger #Jeah,' tweeted swimmer Ryan Lochte.
Grins: The Fierce Five pose with Nicki Minaj, one of McKayla's favourite singers, backstage at Today
Supporters: The girls pose with fans backstage. McKayla tweeted: 'Sharing gold medals is always fun'
Fan: McKayla poses with singer Jordin Sparks, centre, backstage at the Today show
Not impressed: This image of Maroney as she won silver instead of gold for the vault became an internet hit
He wasn't the only one thinking about digging into the meal. 'I'm on an all cheeseburger diet,' tweeted Lolo Jones.
'Home sweet home:) what an amazing reception at DIA! I have the most incredible support! Thank you Colorado and everyone else!' swimmer Missy Franklin shared.
LeBron James was also swept up in the patriotic spirit, donning a baseball cap that read USA.
'Back on US soil. I love the United States of America!!' he tweeted.
Cheers: Tallying 104 medals in total, the country's best athletes have returned to their hometowns where they will be no doubt heralded as heroes for representing the red, white and blue the best way they know how
Beef: And the athlete's themselves are quick to celebrate being reunited with their friends, family, and all-American hamburgers
Hungry: 'I'm on an all cheeseburger diet,' tweeted Lolo Jones
Team: 'Back on US soil. I love the United States of America!!' LeBron James tweeted
Just the night before, more than 750million people worldwide tuned in to watch the extravagant Olympic closing ceremony, but there was no view quite like behind-the-scenes.
In their all white uniforms, Team USA took to Instagram to document their own special moments leading up to, and during the ceremony.
From Jake Dalton's new tattoo to a medalists-only view of the fireworks, Team USA paints a personal picture of the closing ceremony, usually only seen through NBC-televised eyes.
Farewell: Some were sad to say goodbye to London
'Just touched down back in the US!' shared Allyson Felix
Home: Many were swept up in the patriotic spirit
Goodbye: Missy Franklin and Kara Lynn Joyce were roommates in Olympic Village
Supplies: Alexandra Raisman packed quite the suitcases for her trip
U.S. Olympic swimmer, Conor Dwyer, posted pictures of himself with this fellow teammates as they waited for the celebrations to begin.
Goofing around in a life size mirror frame, the 23-year-old wrote: 'Chillin' before the Closing Ceremony'.
Fellow Olympic swimmers Dana Vollmer and Rebecca Soni showed off their white Ralph Lauren Polo outfits before heading to the closing ceremony, while soccer star Alex Morgan posted a picture of her teammates proudly wearing their gold medal to the ceremony.
All American: As darkness fell over the Olympic village, beach volleyball players April Ross and Jen Kessy shared a photo of the pair getting ready to march in the closing ceremony
Triplets in gold: Soccer star Alex Morgan posted a picture of her teamates proudly wearing their gold medal to the ceremony
Goofing around: U.S. Olympic swimmer, Conor Dwyer (far right), posted pictures of himself with this fellow teammates as they waited for the celebrations to begin
The men's basketball team also posted many pre-ceremony images, showing the team celebrating their gold-medal win with plenty of champagne, while gymnast Jake Dalton, who missed out on a medal at this year's Olympics, showed off his new back tattoo, a tribute to the games and his country.
Meanwhile 400m hurdler Lashinda Demus posted a quick picture after she ran into Great Britain's 400-hurdle record holder Sally Gunnell while eating at Nando's prior to the ceremony starting.
As darkness fell over the Olympic village, beach volleyball players April Ross and Jen Kessy shared a photo of the pair getting ready to march in the closing ceremony.
And as the ceremony commenced, gold-medal winning gymnast Jordyn Wieber gave her followers a peek at what the fireworks looked like from her vantage point in the middle of the stadium.
Gold on ice: The men's basketball team posted many pre-ceremony images, showing the team celebrating their gold-medal win with plenty of champagne
Never forget: Gymnast Jake Dalton, who missed out on a medal at this year's Olympics, showed off his new back tattoo, a tribute to the games and America
Light show: As the ceremony commenced, gold-medal winning gymnast Jordyn Wieber gave her followers a peek at what the fireworks looked like from her vantage point in the middle of the stadium
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