03 Sept, 2024

Welcome Home for Olympians and Paralympians

Australia’s Olympians and Paralympians will be welcomed home at a public celebration in Rundle Mall on Sunday, 15 September.

The event will follow a private reception for the athletes and their families hosted by Premier Peter Malinauskas and Lord Mayor of Adelaide Jane Lomax-Smith at Adelaide Oval.

The Rundle Mall event will begin at 12.30pm, with Olympians and Paralympians welcomed on stage near Gawler Place by the Premier and Lord Mayor.

They then will mingle with members of the public to sign autographs and pose for photographs.

Forty-six athletes who live or train in South Australia were part of the most successful Australian team in Olympic history.

During the Paris Olympic Games, the 460-strong squad collected a total of 53 medals ­– 18 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze – across various disciplines.

A team of 160 Paralympians are currently competing across 17 sports at the Paris 2024 Paralympics Games.

Quotes attributable to Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas

“Like most of the country, I was inspired by the feats of our amazing Olympic team in Paris, and now our Paralympians have the chance to shine and continue the momentum over the coming days.

“I’m sure South Australians will relish the opportunity to see their Olympic heroes on September 15, and I personally look forward to welcoming the athletes and their families and hearing about their Olympic experience.”

Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor of Adelaide Jane Lomax-Smith

“We all became glued to our screens watching 46 Olympians from South Australia display incredible talent and sportsmanship while competing in the pool, on the track or on the court at the Paris Games and now our 14 South Australian Paralympians are having their turn.

“After training for so many years, it’s hard not to feel particularly inspired by their sporting prowess. This event in Rundle Mall gives our city the opportunity to celebrate our athletes’ achievements and personally congratulate them.”

Quotes attributable to AOC CEO Matt Carroll

“We thank Premier Peter Malinauskas and Lord Mayor of Adelaide Jane Lomax-Smith for their support of the welcome home event for the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams in Adelaide.

“For the first time we’re excited to welcome home the Australian Olympic Team and the Australian Paralympic Team in joint events bringing together the two teams in celebration after the Paris Games.

“The series of welcome home events across the nation are something for all Australians to honour their athletes in representing Australia and inspiring us all.

“We’re excited to bring the entire community together in celebration of our athletes, united by the power of sport.”

Quotes attributable to Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Officer - Cameron Murray (Interim)

"Bringing together our Australian Paralympic and Olympic teams for a joint celebration in Adelaide after the Paris Games will be wonderful. These athletes, across both teams, inspire the nation and it’s fitting that we honour their achievements together.

"We are grateful to the Government of South Australia and City of Adelaide for their unwavering support and for co-hosting this momentous Welcome Home event.

“Their commitment to celebrating our athletes’ achievements will ensure the entire community can join in honouring South Australia’s outstanding contribution to Australia’s proud record at Paralympic and Olympic level.”

How Our Olympians from South Australia Performed

In the pool, Kyle Chalmers cemented his legacy as Australia’s greatest male freestyle sprinter, winning silver in the 100m Freestyle – he has now medalled in this event at the past three Olympics. Chalmers also produced an incredible anchor leg in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle to rocket Australia to a silver medal and claimed bronze (as a heat swimmer) in the 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay alongside fellow SASI athlete Matt Temple who played a crucial role in the final swim.

In the Track Cycling, four-time Olympian Matthew Glaetzer won bronze in the Men’s Keirin at his final Olympic Games. He also claimed another bronze along with team mate and Olympic debutant Leigh Hoffman, in the Men’s Team Sprint. SA based Sam Welsford, Kelland O’Brien, Conor Leahy, and Oliver Bleddyn etched themselves in history with a gold medal in the Men’s Team Pursuit, forming part of Australia’s most successful Olympic day in history. In their first-round event prior to this they set a new world record.

The Opals ended up with a bronze, winning 81-85 over Belgium in an absolute thriller. Isobel Borlase, Cayla George, Tess Madgen, and Stephanie Talbot all played key roles in the Australian team’s return to the podium, with their first Olympic medal win since London 2012.

Image source: www.news.com.au 

Colin James