Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to supporters in Seward on August 5, 2021. (Marc Lester / ADN)
SEWARD — Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby rode in a trailer behind a pickup truck through the streets of Seward Thursday evening to receive a hero’s homecoming. The parade, held to honor her swimming success in the Tokyo games, allowed several hundred people a chance to cheer the 17-year-old breaststroke champion.
Jacoby said the events were a chance to share the moment with people who have supported her for years.
“It’s been amazing and I’m so thankful for you all,” she told the crowd.
Jacoby, who returned to her hometown earlier this week, became the first Alaskan to make the U.S. Olympic swim team. In Tokyo, she won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke and silver in the women’s medley relay.
After the parade, Jacoby addressed an audience from a tour boat in the bay while a crowd gathered by the Scheffler Creek Bridge. From there, Jacoby answered submitted questions. One question asked what she had to say to young women who look up to her now.
“Obviously, I come from a small town,” she said. “Wherever you’re from and whatever resources you have, with dedication and time you can make it happen.”
A crowd waves to Lydia Jacoby in downtown Seward. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Lydia Jacoby reaches into her pocket for her Olympic medals before the start of the parade. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Lydia Jacoby holds her silver and gold Olympic medals. (Marc Lester / ADN)
People gather in Seward yards to watch Lydia Jacoby's parade pass by. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby waves to supporters in Seward. (Marc Lester / ADN)
A parade car passenger cheers. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Fans show part of what appears to by the letters in Lydia Jacoby's first name during the parade. (Marc Lester / ADN)
A classic car gets a push-start during the parade for Lydia Jacoby.(Marc Lester / ADN)
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby rides in a float during a parade to honor her. (Marc Lester / ADN)
The parade heads south on Third Avenue in Seward. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Fans line the streets of Seward. (Marc Lester / ADN)
A parade car passenger cheers. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Supports watch from a bridge as Jacoby speaks from a boat in Resurrection Bay. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Fans line Fourth Avenue in Seward to see the parade. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Lydia Jacoby walks to greet Gov. Mike Dunleavy and other dignitaries in Seward at the conclusion of the parade. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Fans watch from the Seward shore as Lydia Jacoby answers questions from a nearby tour boat. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Lydia Jacoby reacts to crowd members who chant "U.S.A, U.S.A." (Marc Lester / ADN)