The snowboard cross athlete, who suffered a suspected broken leg at the Games this month, was met at the city's airport by Head of the Ministry of Sports of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Sergey Alekseev.

Also there to greet him after his flight back from Pyeongchang 2018 in South Korea were his family, the director of the Winter Sports Academy Konstantin Pnyov and Winter Universiade volunteers.

Krasnoyarsk 2019 mascot U-Laika also made an appearance alongside journalists.

Twenty-six-year-old Olyunin won Olympic silver at his home Sochi 2014 Games.

But he was forced to compete in Pyeongchang as part of the neutral Olympic Athletes from Russia team due to the nation's suspension following the doping crisis.

Olyunin won his heat and quarter-final in South Korea but then suffered a suspected broken leg in the semi-finals.

"I would say I am full of euphoria," he said.

"I did not expect such warm greetings. 

"I would like to apologse to all the fans, friends, all those who counted on me and hoped. 

"I feel quite good, in terms of health. 

"My leg aches a bit after the flight but on the whole everything is okay. 

"They've operated on me well in Korea. 

"The day after tomorrow stitches will be removed.  

"The rehabilitation process will begin in a month. 

"I will be practicing, training, walking."

Twenty athletes from Krasnoyarsk competed in Pyeongchang in all.

The Winter Universiade will run between March 2 and 12 in 2019.