Family top priority for Rio champion Eric Murray

  • 24/08/2016
Family top priority for Rio champion Eric Murray

The highlight of a hero's welcome for double Olympic champion Eric Murray was making up for lost time with his family.

Half of rowing's perfect pair arrived home on Wednesday along with other members of the New Zealand team to a passionate crowd at Auckland International Airport, but for Murray there was only one group of people he wanted to see.

"I came out and I was looking for them, and all the media was asking me to talk to them and I was like hang on, I haven't even seen my family yet," he told Newshub.

"I was fully choked up, It was just awesome to see them all again."

Murray hadn't seen his family since May, and was relieved he can now take some of the parenting pressure away from his wife.

"I've been away from my family for three months - my wife has had to look after our son by herself.

"How do you thank someone that does that while you are selfishly pursuing a dream? For me, just to get home and be able to take weight of her shoulders, that's what I most enjoy about being home."

The 34-year-old is also extremely proud to have brought joy into the living rooms of thousands of New Zealanders with his and Hamish Bond's performance in Rio.

 "Seeing what the Olympics does to people, how it touches them, that's what we get the enjoyment out of."

As for now though, thoughts of a repeat in 2020 are the last thing Murray is contemplating. It's being a dad that will take top priority.

"Just to get there and see my son, to play and run around, that's what I can't wait to do."

Newshub