Heart-melting homecoming for Edmonton rugby medalist Jen Kish

After the roaring crowds, bright lights and flashing cameras of Rio, there was little fanfare for Jen Kish's homecoming.

When the rugby sevens captain returned to her hometown of Edmonton last week, she "didn't tell anyone."

But after claiming Olympic bronze in Rio, Kish is thankful for a quiet homecoming.

"I've been visiting family, reconnecting with old friends, basically relaxing and just trying to get my feet on the ground here," said Kish.

"What a whirlwind for me."

• Canadian rugby captain Jen Kish excited to share Olympics with her father

Despite her best attempts to keep her return from Rio quiet, fans have inevitably taken notice the much-tattooed Kish, and often in the most unassuming of places.

She's been approached in the aisles of the grocery store, in parking lots and on the street by people touched by her Olympic success.

"I had people start to recognize who I was, and that was a pretty cool experience," Kish said.

• Jen Kish's road to Rio

"And that was a great feeling, just to know that people in Canada watched rugby and that they were excited about it.

"I've had people (come up to me) and say that you've inspired my kids to join sports. That really warms your heart, because what we really wanted to do was inspire the next generation."

Though the team was confident of winning a medal going into the Olympics,Kish said the semi-final loss to Australia, which knocked them out of contention for gold, was a huge disappointment.  

"We were defeated. We came there for gold and we knew we were capable of it. And we fell short."

The team didn't have much time to bounce back, but if felt like eternity.

 "It was four or five hours between the games, which is a long time to sit with a loss."

The team listened to a pep talk from their coach, and drew inspiration from uplifting music, including the Shania Twain songs Up! and Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"

The team had about 20 minutes to really experience the emotion the loss, Kish said. "But then, after that, you can't change it. You can choose to sit and sulk in it, or you can do something about it."

So they did, going on to win a bronze medal in their match against Great Britain.

Post-game blues 

The outpouring of love from fans, Kish said, has provided at least a temporary remedy for the post-Olympic blues that often plagues athletes after the games are over, and the months and years of training and anticipation come to a sudden halt.

"This Olympic hangover that everyone speaks of, I don't know, I haven't experienced it yet. And now that it's all over, I don't know. I guess I can tell you in a week.

"I would assume there would be some sort of lag there because it's over, and I guess the reality of that is going to hit."

Olympic ink 

If that post-Rio funk ever does arrive, Kish will have a permanent reminder of the emotional high she felt as she stepped up on the podium to claim her medal.

She'll be getting a tattoo of the Olympic rings to memorialize her time in Rio.

"It's pretty exciting," said Kish. "It's going to be a pretty special tattoo for me."