Havertown's Hansen Returns Home

Gold medalist swimmer Brendan Hansen arrived home from London Wednesday night

Delaware County-native Brendan Hansen touched down at Philly International Airport around 11 p.m. Wednesday night bringing a gold and bronze medal with him.

Hansen was born and raised in Havertown and a graduate of Haverford High School. The 30-year-old swimmer won gold in the 4x100m Medley during the 2012 games as well as the bronze in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke.

Hansen spoke with NBC10 after he arrived at the airport.

“I think it’s just a great example of a kid that grew up in Havertown, that you could come from anywhere,” said Hansen. “It’s all what you have in your heart and what you have in your head. If you’re strong enough and you know you could do it, you could go after it. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, it doesn’t matter how tall you are or how big you are. If you put your mind to something it’s pretty amazing what you can do.”

During the 2004 Summer Olympics, Hansen took home a gold medal in the world-record setting 4x100m Medley Relay, a bronze medal in his specialty the 200M Breaststroke and a silver in the 100m Breaststroke. Hansen also took home a gold medal during the 2008 Beijing Games as a member of the 4x100m Medley Relay.

Hansen credited his wife with inspiring him to return to the Olympics this year.

“I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for her,” said Hansen. “18 months ago she was standing there talking to me, asking if I would regret this in my 40s if I didn’t try for the Olympics. I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll probably regret it.’ She said, ‘well you better get back in the water.’ 18 months later I have two more Olympic medals to add to my six.”

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