Heroes Welcome Begins For Returning Olympic Champions

Homecoming heroes!

Seventeen-year-old swimmer Lia Neal wept tears of joy. She won a bronze medal in London, but she's the golden girl of New York City as she's welcomed home by none other than Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Swimmer Elizabeth Beisel, who copped a silver and bronze in London came home to deafening cheers at North Kingston High School in Rhode Island.

And they were waiting to cheer 15-year-old gold medal swimmer Katie Ladecky of Bethesda, Maryland, as soon as she got through customs.

As Team USA makes its way back home, the games are wrapping up in London with unique events like synchronized swimming.

And it's vindication for Lolo Jones, the hurdler accused in a New York Times story of caring only about her sexy image. A top editor at the newspaper now admits that story was "too harsh."

Lolo's teammate, Dawn Harper won the silver medal while Jones finished a disappointing fourth.

INSIDE EDITION's Diane McInerney asked, Harper, "How do you really feel about Lolo Jones?"

"I think that she's a fierce competitor, a great individual. I think she's getting what's due to her, and I'm getting what's due to me," said Harper.

Now, it's time for the athletes to let loose after years of disciplined training. Ryan Lochte, who won 5 medals, was photographed looking worse for wear after a late night out in London. And a Belgian cyclist was kicked off his team after a drunken night out.

Lochte got it together in time for his Today show appearance and told Matt Lauer he hopes for a future in TV, saying, "I'm definitely looking towards Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor."

No matter what his future, he and all the athletes deserve all the acclaim coming their way.