Sport Unites All Australians In One Historic Welcome Home

The Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams will join as one in a series of historic welcome home celebrations every Australian can enjoy.

The Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia with the support of state and territory governments are set to host a series of 10 events in cities across the nation.

These events provide a great opportunity for Australians young and old to meet the Teams, grab a selfie or an autograph with their heroes and be inspired by hearing stories of the Paris Games directly from our Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Check out the Event Schedule for Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Launceston, Gold Coast and Darwin!

The Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams represent the diversity of Australian society with sports that are truly for every Australian. The diversity of Australian sport will be on full display at these welcome home events to inspire the next generation of athletes from across the country.

Paralympics Australia Interim Chief Executive Officer Cameron Murray said the welcome home events were a perfect finale to Australia’s Paralympic and Olympic campaigns.

“Our athletes have shown the world the best of Australian sport and the best of the Australian character. But so much of what they achieved could not have happened without the backing of millions of Australians, who showed their support in so many different ways.

“These welcome home events are a chance for our athletes to say thank you and to bring the message home that great things happen through sport.

“Our elite athletes across our Paralympic and Olympic teams have united the nation through their performances, but they’ve also reminded us that all Australians deserve access to sport and the many positive outcomes it delivers, especially for the 20 percent of Australians who live with a disability.

“As we move towards the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, this is a message we will continue to explain and amplify, at the same time as strengthening the high-performance pathways necessary to help our Para-athletes reach the top level.”

Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll AM was delighted to bring the two Teams together for one celebration of sporting success and display all the positive opportunities that can be realized through Olympic and Paralympic sport.

“Bringing the two champion teams together is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate what is great about sport. These welcome home events will be the first opportunity children and families will have to meet their Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic heroes, and really connect with their athletes.

“The power of sport will be on display, not only inspiring the next generation of Aussie athletes, but demonstrating sport leaves no one behind. Olympic and Paralympic sports offer all Australians the ability to have a go.

“The knock-on effect of greater inclusion in sport will only increase the overwhelmingly positive impact sport has on our society. Greater inclusion means more participation improving general health as well as mental health outcomes, both supporting greater productivity feeding into better economic opportunities for the nation.

“It’s critical at times like these we acknowledge the understated role of sport in the development and health of our community,” said Mr Carroll.

By: Paralympics Australia & Australian Olympic Committee
Published: 5 September 2024