Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) congratulates the efforts of Australia's Olympic Team at the 2024 Olympic Games; and

(2) wishes the best of luck to the Australian Paralympic Team competing in the 2024 Paralympics between 28 August and 8 September 2024.

Like a lot of Australians, we've been up late and up early to watch the Paris Olympics across the last two weeks, and what a show we have seen! From archery to wrestling, we have watched the world's greatest sportspeople compete on what must be said was a magnificent stage in Paris and across France. We saw 14 days of human endeavour, pitching muscle, intellect, drive and teamwork to go higher, stronger and faster. And it would be remiss of me not to say out loud that on this side of the House we've had the member for Hunter's journey to inspire us into the Olympics—our very own Olympian, who also shared with us the trials and tribulations of trying to qualify to be one of those athletes to represent their country on the world's biggest stage.

It has been quite a fortnight, led by Australia, competing with the best in the world. And what an Olympics we have had: 18 gold, 19 silver, 16 bronze—53 medals in all, the best ever in our 'away' Olympics; it is extraordinary. Those medals were won across 14 sports. Whether in the pool, on the track, on the field, on the court, on the pitch, on the floor, in the velodrome, in the River Seine, in the streets of Paris, at the Marseille marina or at the Nautical Stadium, our Australians have done us incredibly proud. They've pitched themselves against the best in the world and done their country very proud—their families and themselves.

This year we sent 460 athletes to the Olympic Games: 256 females and 204 males, a 55.6 per cent female team. I know many members on this side of the House want to celebrate that. Our youngest athlete, Aria Trew, in the skateboarding, is 14, winning a gold medal in the park. And our eldest, Shane Rose, in the equestrian events, is 51. There were Australians competing at their fifth Olympics: Eddie Ockenden, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Lauren Jackson and Melissa Wu, competing at the top of their game across five Olympics. What an extraordinary achievement.

And of course we in this country need to pay tribute to all those competitors, not just those who brought us home those beautiful coloured medals, particularly the gold ones, but all our athletes. I was up late last night watching the Opals, because those who know me well know team sports are where my passion runs deepest. To watch our Opals win the first medal since 2012 and bring home that bronze was extraordinary—to see Ezi Magbegor play the most magnificent game of basketball on the world stage. We had many, many heroes in Paris.

To finish this morning, the closing ceremony, with Jessica Fox elected to the IOC Athletes Commission, was also an extraordinary thing to see. To see our Jessica, the most successful Australian Olympian ever, elected to represent athletes is also extraordinary.

At the 1924 Paris Olympics, Australia sent 34 athletes. They were all men. This year we sent, as I said, 460 athletes, and we competed across an enormous number of sports. So there are many things to celebrate, but for me some of the special moments worth mentioning were: Nina Kennedy winning gold in the pole vault; Mollie O'Callaghan winning three gold, one silver and one bronze in the pool—extraordinary; and Arisa Trew, who I mentioned. But Saya's gold in the BMX: what a moment for that young lady and a moment for her family, not to mention the Fox sisters and the Stingers. Who could miss the Stingers in the women's water polo? What troopers they are, bringing home the silver after an extraordinary Olympics. The women in the pool, the women on the track and the women in the field: an extraordinary performance by the Australian women, an extraordinary performance by the Australian team.

Mike Freelander (Macarthur, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.

Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Casey electorate has been well represented at the Paris Olympics: Harry Garside in boxing, Simon Clarke in cycling, Tayleb Willis in athletics, Mitch Iles in shooting and Kelland O'Brien in the men's track pursuit cycling team. They're all incredible athletes, and I've been following their journey on social media and have seen how dedicated and hardworking they all are. It was a proud moment on 8 August when our community woke to the news that Lilydale High School and Mooroolbark East Primary School alumnus Kelland O'Brien had won gold in the men's track cycling pursuit against Great Britain. Not only are they gold medallists but the Australian team that Kelland is a part of also broke the world record time in Paris—such an amazing achievement for our nation.

It is crucial that we don't just celebrate the gold. There is much to be celebrated in the years and years of dedication that these athletes and their families have endured to get themselves on the world stage. Our community is so proud of fellow Lilydale High School alumni Harry Garside and his journey to the Olympics. Harry began his boxing journey at Lilydale youth club, and I commend him for opening up about the emotions of falling short of his dream in Paris. You made our nation and your home town proud, and I can't wait to see what is next for you, Harry.

Simon Clarke grew up in the Hills, attending Selby Primary School and Billanook College. He credits our hills as the cycling playground that ushered in his development in the early days. All that practice came in handy as Simon competed in the longest race in Olympic history in Paris. In 2016, Simon was on the Australian team for Rio and was the only Australian to finish the race.

Mitch Iles represented Australia for shooting, having trained at the Melbourne Gun Club in Yering. I recently had the opportunity to fire at clay targets, and I completely understand Mitch's love for this sport. It's very addictive. Mitch became Australia's third youngest Olympic shooter in Rio. Congratulations, Mitch, on representing Australia, Yering and the Melbourne Gun Club in Paris.

Last, but certainly not least, Tayleb Willis was our youngest local Olympian at just 21 years of age. He proved his talent and skills against some of the world's best athletes, with a time of 13.63 seconds in his first race. Tayleb was a regular recipient of the local sports champion grant throughout his childhood as he made his way through national championships. It is amazing to see him now representing Australia at such a young age. It was a proud moment for his family, for our community and for his high school, Mooroolbark College.

Congratulations Kelland, Harry, Simon, Mitch and Tayleb for representing Australia and our community on the world stage. We are so proud of your achievements in Paris.

I am also looking forward to the Paralympics later this month, where Healesville local Bridget Murphy will be competing in the para-equestrian dressage. Her whole team is based in the Yarra Valley, and we're looking forward to cheering them on and other locals as more teams and athletes are announced.

While these Olympics have been significant for our success, it is also a significant moment for the families and parents that have sacrificed so much for their children. What we see in Paris is the platform for the next Olympics as young people are inspired by the athletes and everything that they have given to their country.

I was lucky enough last weekend to be at the Lilydale Swim club for their presentation. I support the club and sponsor their club championships. There are some young athletes, including Kynon, who we lost count but think broke 20 club records in the last 12 months. I know he is aiming for the Olympics in four years time. In talking to his mother, you can see the love she has for Kynon but also the sacrifices she is already making so he can chase his dream of the Olympics. Seven days a week he is training in the gym and the pool and working on his nutrition. It's a big financial burden and time burden on his family. But when you talk to his mum you see the pride that she has in him chasing his dream. We know behind every athlete is a family and a community that are giving so much so they can live their dreams.

Congratulations to every Australian who competed at the Olympics. You represented our country with such pride. We are proud of you. Best of luck to the next generation who are already thinking about four years time.

Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sport unites us. It brings together families, friends and entire communities. Sport connects our nation as a whole and, at the recent Paris Olympics, it brought the entire world together. This is the remarkable power of sport. In Australia, the Olympics are so powerful they've kept us awake late into the night and had us getting up in the early hours of the morning because we love it. Sport is part of our identity. It is deeply woven into the fabric of our nation. The Olympics and Paralympics hold a special place in our hearts because they only come around once every four years. Very few moments unite this country more than when we rally behind our athletes competing in the green and gold. I've watched people right around Australia gather around their TVs and watch on their phones, all to witness our champions showcase what they're capable of on the world stage.

Congratulations to Australia's 2024 Olympic team. You've made us proud. With 18 gold medals, 19 silver medals and 16 bronze medals, it's been our most successful games ever. Supporting our athletes is a significant part of what it means to be an Australian. That support is well deserved because what our athletes achieve is hard earned. From a young age they dedicate their lives to their sport, training year after year and often sacrificing time with family and friends. These sacrifices are immense, but, for all athletes, there is no prouder moment than when they are representing Australia. When you're at the Olympics, wearing the green and gold with the backing of this great country, the moment is bigger than anything and all those sacrifices become worthwhile. I know this feeling very well because I've been lucky enough to compete in five Olympic Games. It should have been six, but unfortunately 2024 just wasn't my year. I gave it my best and missed out by one point. Even though I didn't make the team this year, I know what it means to compete at the highest level, supported by your teammates and the entire nation. It's the proudest moment of all.

We must not underestimate the achievements of the Australian Olympic team. We punch well above our weight in the world of sport—way, way above it. At the Olympics, we may be a relatively small country by population, but you wouldn't know it by looking at our medal tally. A few of the highlights for me included watching my good friend Penny Smith win a bronze medal in the women's trap shooting at Chateauroux. Congratulations, Penny; you're an absolute superstar. There was Kaylee McKeown's performance in the pool. Another highlight was seeing a normal sized athlete like Matt Denny win an Olympic bronze medal in the discus. And who didn't shed a tear when seeing Saya Sakakibara win the gold medal in the women's BMX. The story of her and her brother is what Olympic dreams are made of. Plus, her interview after winning gold was a pearler. Anyone who can drop the f-bomb five times in an interview gets my full respect!

Another highlight is the story of Mijain Lopez Nunez. He's not an Australian athlete, but his story is well worth telling. Representing Cuba, Mijain made Olympic Games history by becoming the first athlete in any sport to win gold in the same event at five consecutive Olympic Games, in the Greco-Roman wrestling men's 130-kilogram category. That is absolutely amazing. And let's not forget the Hunter electorate athletes who gave their all in Paris. Genevieve Janse van Rensburg from Singleton powered through the modern pentathlon to finish 13th, and Wallsend's Jacqueline Nichele finished 10th in the women's 71-kilogram weightlifting, with a total of 209 kilograms.

There's more inspiration to come, as another group of athletes are about to begin their journey: our Australian Paralympic team. I wish them all the best of luck as they compete in the 2024 Paralympics beginning on 28 August. Once again, we will be united and inspired. You will do us all proud.

I've spoken to many up-and-coming athletes from the Hunter, and I know this Olympics was an exciting moment for them, with the Paralympics set to inspire them even further. These events invigorate athletes not just across Australia but across the world. Congratulations to all our Olympic athletes and best of luck to our Paralympic athletes. Thank you to the athletes, their coaches, their support staff, their families, their friends and their workplaces. I'd like to give another mention to the Opals. Congratulations on winning the bronze yesterday. It's been 12 years since they did that. Lauren Jackson, you're the GOAT. You're the absolute best. Congratulations on your achievements throughout your career and enjoy your retirement. Cheers.

Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is such a great honour to be able to be in this space to congratulate the outstanding success of our elite sportspeople who competed at these 2024 Paris Olympics. It is the most successful medal tally ever, but, more importantly, I think it's the spirit that's shining through from this team. I want to give huge congratulations to Anna Meares for her outstanding leadership, previously as an athlete and now as the chef de mission for this incredible team. We've seen some truly astonishing performances in swimming, road cycling, canoe slalom, equestrian, shooting, athletics, rowing, sailing, tennis and so many more. All the competitors at this year's games should be so proud.

But what I really want to talk about is that it is something truly special to be an Olympian. It's often a dream formed at a really young age by these athletes. They dare to dream, and they dare to set their sights on something that might seem so incredibly impossible. Then these athletes dedicate years and years to training and to travel. They sacrifice what many others take for granted. Their families and friends prioritise their needs. It is incredibly hard and gruelling.

Unfortunately, society sometimes focuses too much on the cream on top, the medals. It is an incredible privilege. It is a tiny percentage that make it to the metal dais. Too often, we focus on that, and we don't focus on the heroism of sport, which is often happening far away from the limelight. The amazing heroism of sport is often in the hard moments. It's when the dreams are shattered. It's when you pull a hammy. It's when you fall or it's that slight bit of luck when things just didn't go your way. It's in those hard moments, when those dreams are shattered, that athletes have to find the strength, the dedication and the perseverance to come back and to come back stronger, faster and harder. They actually put in that extra training towards their goals.

So my message is: huge congratulations to everyone who has had their dreams of becoming an Olympian come true and then has had that extra cream—maybe being a medallist—on top. But my message to Olympians also is: all those skills you have worked so hard for, over so many years, are incredible assets to you. As an Olympian myself, having been to four Olympics as an athlete and a fifth one as an administrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I know so well how much those skills you develop as athletes will serve you well in life—your dedication and your ability to train, to focus, to work hard and to take criticisms, because there are always plenty from the outside world. There are always plenty of armchair critics looking at performances, but it's only you who truly know what you've put into it.

We also know sport brings us together. I've looked in wonder at the refugee team that has performed at the Paris Olympics. It's been some years now that they've been going to the Olympics, and I congratulate Cindy Ngamba, who won a medal in boxing—the first ever medal for the refugee team. It is hard to imagine how it would feel to be displaced from your country but still have that opportunity to bring that plight to light.

From an Australian perspective, it's been incredible to watch the Australian women really do us proud. As a female ex-athlete, I have to take some note of that, because women have had to fight hard for that equal opportunity to participate in sport and to be recognised in sport. It's still not there when it comes to fully equal funding and recognition in terms of pay, for example, because training and juggling your commitments is a full-time job, and it's incredibly hard. We've now seen female athletes competing for over 100 years at Olympic events. If you go back to the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, we had Sarah 'Fanny' Durack and Mina Whiley compete in the 100-metre freestyle. They finished in first and second place respectively, and they were inspired to do so in protest of the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association's assertion at the time that women should not compete in competitions when men were present. We've certainly come a long way, but so much more is needed.

I must also do a shout-out to Warringah constituents: Rowena Meredith competing in rowing; Sariah Paki and Sharni Smale competing in rugby sevens; Shaun Connor competing in sailing; Clare Wheeler competing in football; and Sienna Green, Bronte Halligan, Sienna Hearn and Tilly Kearns competing in the water polo—congratulations on such an exciting silver medal.

I have a great love for the Olympics. Please don't forget the Winter Olympians. They do Australians proud as well, on the winter stage.

Tracey Roberts (Pearce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to speak on this extraordinary achievement and to honour the dedication, the perseverance and the triumphs of the Australian athletes who have made us all proud in the 2024 Olympics. This has been the most successful games in Australian history and has once again showcased the spirit of cooperation, unity and the sheer will to excel.

First and foremost, let us extend our heartfelt congratulations to every Australian Olympian who competed in these games. Your hard work, discipline, and unwavering commitment have brought glory to our nation and inspired millions. Each one of you has demonstrated what it means to pursue excellence, to overcome obstacles and to represent your country with honour. This year's Olympics has been especially remarkable, from the electrifying atmosphere in the stadiums to the breathtaking performances on the fields and tracks, in watercourses and on courts. We have witnessed moments that will be etched in our memories forever. Our athletes not only have competed but have set new benchmarks, broken records and redefined what is possible. We celebrate some of the standout achievements: 18 gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze, ranking us fourth in the world.

My personal congratulations must go to our very own Pearce resident, Charlie Senior, who achieved bronze in boxing. Well done, Charlie. We are very, very proud of you. The resilience and prowess shown by our swimmers, who brought home a spectacular haul of medals, is awe-inspiring. Our track and field athletes, with their extraordinary speed and strength, have set new records and captivated the world with their performances. And who can forget the outstanding feats in cycling, rowing, skateboarding and gymnastics, where our athletes have truly shone on the global stage.

I'd also like to take a moment and recognise the wonderful women in our Olympic team. We have come a long way since the first modern Olympics in 1896, where women weren't allowed to compete. Today our Australian women Olympians have accrued a fantastic medal tally, sitting third on the women's medal tally and ninth on the overall medal tally—an absolutely incredible feat.

Behind every medal, every victory and every personal best there is a story of relentless effort, countless hours of training and unwavering support. We must acknowledge the coaches, trainers, support staff and families who have been the pillars of strength for our athletes. Your dedication and encouragement has been instrumental in their success. This celebration is not just about medals and the records but also about the values that sports instil in us: teamwork, perseverance, integrity and respect. Our athletes have embodied these values, set an example for the younger generation and for all of us. They have shown that, with determination and hard work, dreams can indeed become a reality.

The 2024 Olympics have also highlighted the importance of unity in sportsmanship. In a world often divided by differences, sport has the unique power to bring people together to foster understanding and friendship. Our athletes have not only competed fiercely but also formed friendships with competitors from all around the world. The spirit of unity and mutual respect is something that we can all be proud of. As we celebrate these incredible achievements, let us look into the future with optimism and hope. The success of our athletes serves as a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together as a nation. It inspires us to continue supporting and nurturing the talent of our future Olympians, to invest in sports at all levels and to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for all Australians.

Speaking of investing in sports, the Albanese Labor government has invested almost $500 million over the next two years—the largest Olympic and Paralympic sport investment ever—as we head towards Los Angeles in 2028. This doubles the funding going towards Paralympic sport and is on top of our $200 million Play Our Way fund for women's and girls' sports infrastructure.

In closing I would like to express my deepest gratitude and admiration to all our Olympians. You have made history. You have made us all immensely proud. Your legacy will inspire generations to come, reminding us all that greatness is within our reach if we dare to dream and work hard. I'm looking forward to the Paralympics, which will start on 28 August. I send all the athletes, their families and coaches all the very best, and I wish you strength, determination and success in the upcoming competition. Thank you once again. Congratulations to team Australia for an unforgettable Olympic performance. Let us continue to celebrate this incredible achievement and look forward to even greater successes in the future.

Simon Kennedy (Cook, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What a historic Olympics for Australia, with a record 18 gold medals. It's fantastic to watch Australia punch above its weight, but it's also fantastic to watch my electorate of Cook punch above its weight. Cook accounts for just 0.4 per cent of Australia's population but counts for almost three per cent of Australia's Olympic athletes. That's a sixfold increase. I'd like to recognise the 12 athletes and two coaches who hail from my home electorate of Cook.

Firstly, there is the Stingers water polo team, who picked up a stunning silver medal. I was in a packed Cronulla RSL on Saturday night to watch the Stingers's gold medal match. There was yelling, screaming, a few drinks and a lot of local pride. I'd like to recognise two players and their coach. The first one is Danijela Jackovich. She is originally from Chicago and a talented basketballer and biomedical engineer who now calls Cronulla home. She's a scorer for the Cronulla Sharks and was competing in her first Olympics. Congratulations, Dani. Keesja Gofers is a Sydney-born water polo player who lives in Dolls Point and who is competing in her third Olympics. She also won silver and bronze medals in the World Aquatics Championships. Congrats, Keesja. Lastly, Australia's head coach and Cronulla Sharks stalwart is Rebecca 'Bec' Rippon. She did an amazing job coaching the girls and is a former bronze medal winner herself.

Next is the men's water polo team, the Aussie Sharks, who made it to the quarter finals and lost a nailbiting penalty shootout to the US. I'd like to recognise five athletes who made their Olympic debut and their coach. Angus Lambie was born and raised in the Sutherland shire and started water polo at age 11. A winner of multiple AWPL titles, Angus played in his first major international tournament in 2023. Chaz Poot began his aquatic journey winning state gold medals in nippers and transitioned to water polo at 14. He debuted through the Sutherland Shire Water Polo Association. Matthew Byrnes, also from Cronulla, debuted internationally at 18 years old, representing Australia in the junior water polo water championships, and made his senior debut in 2022. Marcus Berehulak, who plays for the Cronulla Sharks as well, made his international debut in 2022. Born in Serbia, Milos Maksimovic played water polo at just age 10 and moved to Australia in 2022, joining the Cronulla Sharks. Vedran Cirkovic is our national coach for the men and has made Cronulla and Australia his home for the last seven years, after immigrating from Serbia.

Next I'd like to acknowledge the women's rugby sevens. Cook has the largest number of female rugby and rugby league players in New South Wales, and two exceptional players represented Australia in the rugby sevens. Tia 'Dolly' Hinds grew up in Sydney playing for Maroubra Magic. She participated in the Tokyo Olympics and won gold in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Bridget Clark plays for the Burraneer Women's Rugby Club. Bridget impressed in the 2024 Hong Kong sevens in the bronze medal match against France. These women performed extremely well, with a heartbreaking defeat to the USA in the bronze medal match, losing in the dying seconds. I know they may be disappointed, but they did Australia and Cook incredibly proud.

Next is the men's rugby sevens. Born in Caringbah, Nathan Lawson debuted for Australia in the Tokyo Olympics and has since become a key player for the national sevens team. Nathan was a huge contributor, scoring an amazing breakaway 50-metre try in the bronze medal match. In the men's 1,500 metres, we had Olli Hoare, an exceptional and accomplished athlete, having won the 1,500-metre final at the Commonwealth Games. It certainly is worth shouting out Olli's mental health advocacy, which I find very inspiring. Olli finished fifth at the Olympics this year. Congratulations, Ollie.

In gymnastics we had Breanna Scott, inspiring to all gymnasts in Cook. Breanna was a key member of the Australian team that won silver in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. In Paris the Australian gymnastics team finished in 10th place. The team missed out on qualifications for the finals by the smallest of margins—only 0.533 points. Well done to Breanna and the team.

To the 12 athletes and two coaches from Cook, we are incredibly proud of you and we look forward to welcoming you home very soon.

Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There has been so much to celebrate at these Olympics—our most successful Olympics in history. So many young Australian Olympic athletes have reached the unreachable in the past fortnight. Look at Arisa Trew, who at just 14 rode her way to history in the skateboard park final in Paris. Arisa's gold medal makes her the youngest-ever medallist by 94 days, taking the mantle from Aussie swimmer Sandra Morgan for her outstanding performance in the 4x100-metre freestyle relay way back in 1956. Arisa is also the youngest medallist so far to compete in any event in Paris.

In my own electorate of Corangamite there were four athletes who took it to the world stage. They include high jumper Joel Baden, from Clifton Springs, who worked hard to make this year's team. He debuted at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and, after missing selection for Tokyo, immediately went to work. His training paid off, and he went on to clear the 2.33 metre mark, moving him to No. 3 of all time in Australian history and booking his ticket to Paris. Before heading to Paris, Joel said his journey had been a mixed bag, filled with moments of extreme frustration and disappointment and of incredible highs and elation felt when you tap into your potential and hit a personal best.

But some of the sweetest moments at these Olympic Games were not about outright victory. Torquay's Kyra Cooney-Cross, the Matildas' star midfielder, showed her mettle in an 11-goal thriller in Nice. Rower Ria Thompson, from Point Lonsdale, competed strongly in the women's quad sculls. Trap shooter and local superstar Catherine Skinner showed the world her precision under pressure. Moments like these foster a new generation of hope—a generation that understands it is not just about winning; it's the taking part that counts. The essential thing in sport and life is the lessons learnt of resilience, determination, integrity and self-discipline—not just for yourself but for your team.

I'm proud to be part of the Albanese government, who continue to do our part to inspire new sporting champions by investing in facilities to support athletes of all abilities. Our sportspeople have given us many moments of national inspiration, and we must seize that opportunity for the next generation by investing in community sporting facilities, particularly in fast-growing regions like mine in the electorate of Corangamite in Victoria. My community and I have worked hard to achieve outstanding investment in sporting facilities. In Armstrong Creek, the budget reaffirmed this commitment with $6 million for the Armstrong Creek indoor sports stadium to cater for basketball, netball and volleyball. On the Bellarine we have fought hard to secure the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre, which will soon feature an indoor pool. In Torquay we will soon see the Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre providing amazing facilities for local sportspeople. The Albanese government wants young people everywhere in Australia to have the facilities they need and the support they need to choose the sport they love, whether it be at community level or at elite level.

As our athletes strive for their dreams, I hope they continue to bring many more moments of national pride. Who will forget Molly O'Callaghan in the 200-metre freestyle, storming home to take gold over her training teammate Ariarne Titmus? It was one of the most anticipated all-Aussie showdowns of the Paris Olympics and it lived up to the hype. The 20-year-old produced a brilliant final lap to power ahead of world-record-holder Titmus and complete a classic one-two finish—Australia's first at the Olympic Games since Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett back in 2004. And we watched on as Molly invited Ariarne to share the podium. What mateship, what commitment and what good will.

I give a big thanks to the people of France for hosting these games. We look forward to watching the Paralympics over coming weeks—an incredible inspiration once again. And, from the bigger Australian family, may all Olympians feel our love, our support and our gratitude for all that they do.

Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Every four years the Olympics and the Paralympics roll around, and they're truly wonderful reminders of how great it is to be an Australian. What an outstanding effort by our Olympians over the past fortnight! A record haul of gold medals and a record haul of medals more generally. As our Olympians finish their campaign, our Paralympians get ready to make their mark on Paris over the next few weeks.

I'm looking forward to the Paralympic Games, and I had the pleasure recently of meeting with our Paralympic team, as the co-chair, with the member for Moreton, of the parliamentary friends of the Olympics, to celebrate their leaving for Paris. If we look at our Olympic athletes over the past couple of weeks—whether it's our Matildas, our rugby sevens, our swimmers, our athletes, our cyclists, our rowers, our sailors—right across the Olympic family, our athletes did us proud. Australia shone bright in the city of lights.

We take a bit of a look back at some of the fundamental principles of what the Olympics are all about. One of the great things about sport is it's a unifier. You see the camaraderie of athletes—Olympians—from right across the world at the Olympics, and it shows us what a great unifier sport is. That is what is so terrific—that we see people go out to achieve their best in representing their country. Not every athlete is successful at winning a medal. We frequently focus on the winners and those who receive our silver and gold medals, but I take this opportunity to acknowledge all of those other athletes that competed, didn't get a medal, yet went out there and tried their best, represented their country. In many cases, many of these people achieved personal bests, and what more could you ask in the environment of the greatest sporting event on the planet, that you go out and compete and represent your country and achieve a personal best? I think we should hold those and every other athlete at an equal level to those who have won medals, because they have done an extraordinary job to deliver on the biggest stage of achieving success.

I take the opportunity to mention a few of the athletes that have come from the great city of Logan. Logan swimmer Mollie O'Callaghan was the darling of the Paris Olympics, winning more gold medals than any Australian, and with her winning streak she now holds the equal second most gold medals of any Australian in Olympic history—five golds, tied with Ian Thorpe, one medal behind Emma McKeon. Throw in her silver medals and her bronze medals, and it was an outstanding swimming meet for Mollie.

We also look at Logan village mum Amanda Jennings, who will be competing in the Paralympics. She competed previously in 2016, receiving a silver medal in the paracanoe. Unfortunately, she has had health issues in the meantime, but now will represent Australia in para-archery at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Logan City BMX Academy rider Izaac Kennedy made it to the final but sadly lost out on a medal, and I should also take the opportunity to mention Logan Martin and his efforts in the BMX. An adductor injury forced Meadowbrook all-rounder Ash Moloney to pull out of the decathlon after three events, but he'll certainly go back around again.

To all of these athletes and many more: congratulations on your tremendous success at the 2024 Olympics, and we look forward to the Paralympics starting in a couple of weeks time.

Mike Freelander (Macarthur, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The time allotted for this debate has expired. The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting.