Cheers and hugs greet Olympic silver medallist Alysha Corrigan as she arrives home on P.E.I.

P.E.I. native Alysha Corrigan has returned to the Island with an Olympic silver medal around her neck. 

She arrived at the Charlottetown airport Friday afternoon, welcomed by loud cheers from a small crowd of family, friends and supporters — not to mention a running hug from her young niece. 

"It's nice to be home to celebrate with everybody," Corrigan told CBC News. "The support from P.E.I. has been insane."

The Canadian women's rugby sevens team earned a silver medal in Paris, losing to the top-ranked New Zealand team. Corrigan is a forward for Team Canada. 

Going to the Olympics and coming home with a medal has been a "huge accomplishment" and a hard-earned honour, she said Friday, given Canada's tough road to the final match.

Along the way they went up against — and beat — both host France and powerhouse Australia. 

Corrigan said the team knew the gold-medal match against New Zealand would be difficult. But with hard work over the next four years, she predicted: "It could be something different at the next Olympics."

Reflecting on her time in Paris, Corrigan said it was "very special" to have 22 of her family members and friends in the stands to watch her play.

"It was incredible to have them there, to run over and share the moment with them after the big wins — even the losses." 

Alysha Corrigan's friends, former teammates gather in P.E.I. to cheer on the Olympic medallist

5 months ago

Duration 1:37

Friends and former teammates of P.E.I.'s Alysha Corrigan gathered in Charlottetown to cheer her on in the women's rugby sevens gold medal match at the Paris Olympics. Team Canada took home silver, its best-ever finish at the Games.

Corrigan said she hopes the success of Canada's rugby sevens team at these Olympics will inspire the next generation of athletes.

"If we can make someone pick up a rugby ball or stay in rugby, then we're happy. That's bigger than a medal," she said. 

While she is ready to soak up this silver moment in time, Corrigan has her eye on the Rugby World Cup next year. That tournament will be held in England.

But the agenda for tonight: celebrating with family and friends.

"Everybody has been so supportive," she said. "It's going to be exciting to see everybody that hasn't been able to make it out to Paris."