OTTAWA - The House of Commons was a sea of red Thursday as MPs paid a proud tribute to Canada's Olympians and Paralympians.
Dozens of athletes crowded into the chamber -- prompting a contagious sea of smiles that took the edge off a heated question period.
MPs gave them a prolonged standing ovation and all broke into a rendition of O Canada.
Athletes paraded across the Hill for a reception -- catching up with fellow teammates and snapping group photos along the way.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper presented each medal-winner with a Canadian flag, folded into a small wooden box.
He told athletes that watching them walk into the House was a fantastic moment.
"I'm going to tell you -- and I know I wasn't alone -- a lot of people were pretty choked up," he said. "Almost on the verge of tears.
"I don't get like that very often, when I'm not in pain, but I really was."
Harper congratulated them for their unprecedented success.
"You have really shown not just what you're capable of, what your generation is capable of, but what our country will be capable of in the future."
The Winter Olympic team won a record 14 gold medals. The Paralympic team took 10.
Six-time medallist Clara Hughes thanked the Commons for inviting her team into what she called MPs realm of competitive sport.
"There was a lot of fire in the air," said Hughes, who has won speed skating and cyling medals in the winter and summer games.
"I think I can say safely that the seeds have been planted and dreams have been established that future generations are now going to be able to live -- with more funding. This doesn't happen without resources, so thank you."
Hughes' last words went out to Canadians.
"A lot of people have thanked me and thanked the athletes for inspiring a nation but I think it was a nation who inspired us to excellence."
