Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[ by video link] How good are Tasmanian athletes? It's not a question we really have to ask if we had the honour of being able to watch the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I think we can all agree in this place that Australia has done all Australians very proud. I, like many Australians, have been an armchair expert over the last three weeks, watching much of the coverage of these games. I'm sure you would agree, Madam Acting Deputy President Askew, that it has been so inspiring to see so many Tasmanian athletes on the world stage representing our state. We have been blessed to see 12 Tasmanians compete in a total of nine sports, including swimming; hockey; soccer; track and road cycling; triathlon; basketball; rowing; athletics; and canoeing. All of these athletes, regardless of whether they are fortunate enough to bring home a medal, deserve all the success that will come their way. They have represented their nation at the highest level in sport, something that no-one will ever be able to take away from them.

I would like to acknowledge Tasmanian sports administrator and fellow Launceston resident and Examiner columnist Brian Roe for his time at the games officiating at the athletics. Tokyo 2020 has been providing hope and aspiration to all of us during a very trying time globally and at home in own state of Tasmania. So congratulations to all of them. But, in particular, Ariarne Titmus is now a household name, and I'm sure all Tasmanians and Australians are looking forward to welcoming her home along with her medals.

The footage over the past couple of weeks has displayed raw emotion and the power of sport to bring communities together. It is extremely gratifying to watch athletes in peak condition compete, endure and be successful, to prepare themselves mentally and— (Time expired)