PARKER — Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin WAS greeted by flocks of cheering fans at a welcome-home parade in her North Texas hometown Saturday morning.

The 18-year-old gymnast waved enthusiastically to the crowd while riding in a pink Saab convertible along a mile-long parade route in the small Collin County town of Parker.

Liukin won five medals at the Olympics in Beijing, including gold in the all-around competition. She also helped the U.S. win silver in the team competition.

The parade route turned into a makeshift gynmasium for little girls with big dreams like Katy Culver.

"She's from a little town and she's gone all the way to the other side of the world, where dreams came true," Katy said.

Escorted by bands and old fashioned cars, Nastia waved at her adoring young fans.

Maya Solomon is inspired by the Team USA champion. "I do go to gymnastics, I just went yesterday," Maya said. And while she does have Olympic dreams, she's only nine years old and not yet eligible for the team.

"I wish I was 16," she said.

Nastia Liukin said her olympic quest was buoyed by support from her home town..

"2002 was my first U.S. national championship, and here I am — 2008 — standing here as an Olympic champion, so I couldn't be more proud, and it's all because of you guys, too, and the support that you gave me."

Parker will now have a road named after Nastia, and even a sign proclaiming her achievement to motorists entering the town.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison commended Nastia not only for her gymnastic ability, but also for her world-class attitude after missing out on a gold medal for the uneven bars competition.

"You were robbed, there's no doubt about it," Hutchison said. "But it was the class and character — it was the very best of all. You made America so proud."

Organizers of the parade, which moved to the beat of a 200-strong marching band, say they turned away some who wanted to participate because there wasn't enough space. About 3,300 people live in Parker.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

E-mail sslater@wfaa.com