A BRADFORD-born Government official in Brazil has reflected on an “amazing” Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Wasim Mir, who is deputy head of mission to the British Ambassador to Brazil, Alex Ellis, said the two-week celebration of sport exceeded all expectations.

Team GB’s triumphant Olympians touched down at Heathrow Airport today following the most successful Games in more than a century.

A total of 320 athletes, including triathlon stars Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, who are Bingley Harriers members, and support staff travelled back from Rio in a gold-nosed British Airways Boeing 747 with victoRIOus emblazoned on the side.

Gold medal boxer Nicola Adams, who trained at Bradford-based Huggy’s Gym, was first off the plane, alongside gymnast Max Whitlock. Team GB won 67 medals, which included 27 golds, and saw the national finish second in the table behind the USA.

Mr Mir’s role during the Olympics included co-ordinating each day’s activities and he was also involved in events run in the Great Britain House, based in Rio, which was specially opened for the sporting spectacular.

He also made sure the Embassy team in Rio was able to support Team GB’s athletes, help British nationals travelling to Rio and use the Olympics to promote the UK as a tourist site and place to do business.

Mr Mir, who moved to Brazil in June 2014 and completes his posting in South America next year, said: “It was amazing to be in Rio for the Games.

“I think it exceeded expectations.

“The atmosphere was amazing. Prior to the Games there were lots of scare stories about whether Rio would be ready, the Zika virus and crime.

“But the welcoming response from Brazilians meant that once the Games started, the atmosphere was amazing.

“Great Britain finishing second in the medals table with more medals than London 2012 was amazing.

“As well as work during the period, I got to see some events in person.

“The highlights for me was seeing Jack Laugher and Chris Mears win gold in diving and Jessica Ennis-Hill getting silver in the heptathlon.

“I was able to see events beamed to the British House in Rio and watch them with Team GB athletes and families.

“I’m also really proud of the work we did to support the more than 20,000 British visitors to Rio and the work we did in British House to promote the UK.”

Mr Mir, a former student at the former Rhodesway School, Allerton, now switches his attention to the Paralympics, which will also be held in Rio between September 7 and 18.

He added: “Unfortunately, there is no time to rest.

“Its straight on to the Paralympics which start in two weeks time.”