“It was a very emotional moment and such a whirlwind. I can’t even describe it,” she said.

“They’ve been such a big part of the journey and this medal is as much theirs as it is mine, so to be able to finally share that with them, it was the best feeling in the world.

“To feel so supported and so loved, and just to be able to share what I achieved and what everyone else has been able to achieve, it’s such a big team effort and I can’t thank everyone enough.”

While Anthony had a long-running family joke with her dad Greg that he would get her a puppy if she won an Olympic gold medal, she said he was unlikely to honour the pact.

“I’m not getting my hopes up,” Anthony quipped.

Greg later confirmed just as much, asking how he could get in touch with a politician to find out how to renege on the deal.

Anthony’s mum Sue said it was great to have her daughter back on home soil.

“It took a long time for her to get here, but [we’re] very excited to have her home,” she said.

“We got to speak a lot, leading up to the event. After that, we haven’t really had much contact. Now it’s our time, it’s good. I’ll probably be celebrating and Jakara will probably be sleeping, but it’s very exciting.”

Despite achieving a life’s dream, Anthony said one gold medal would not fulfil her aspirations.

“I’m still as motivated as ever, as motivated as I was before, and I think the medal is something that can just really prove the hard work myself and my team have put into me,” she said.

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“It now just gives me a lot more opportunity to inspire others. I feel so privileged to be in this position and so, so grateful for all the support and opportunities I’ve been given.

“I’m heading back to Europe in a couple of weeks and just looking to put down more runs like I was able to at the Olympics, keep working on my skills, get some more training in, and some more competing, and just finish the season on a high.”