Chipper in their white hospital gowns and surgical masks — to safeguard against infection — the boys assured rescuers and everyone who followed the rescue around the world that they were safe and recovering.

After their traumatic ordeal deep inside a dark and flooded mountain cave, Thailand’s 12 rescued boys and their young soccer coach will now have to navigate a fresh challenge: Fame.

First images of the Thai boys who were trapped in a cave for more than two weeks were released on Wednesday, showing the soccer team smiling and waving from their hospital beds.