Premier Minns thanks Olympians, Paralympians for inspiring state’s Generation Next

The Premier of NSW, the Hon. Chris Minns MP, set an uplifting tone for the Olympic and Paralympic Teams Welcome Home celebration held at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour when he spoke about an important legacy from the Paris Games.

“Because of our Olympians and Paralympians, a new generation will be inspired to get out of the house, to jump in the pool, to get on their bike,” said the Premier.

“They’ll play more tennis. More kids will try athletics. More kids, at the end of the day, will put down their mobile phones and go outside and play with their mates – and maybe some of them will represent their country as well.

“So, thanks to everybody for giving us a Games that we will never forget . . . it took a cold Sydney winter and bathed us all in French sunlight and Olympic and Paralympic glory. We’re very, very proud to have you back on home soil, you’ve done us all so proud.”

Fifty NSW-based Olympians and Paralympians met an army of well-wishers, including troupes of school children, who were inspired by their feats in France. Many of the youngsters lined for autographs and selfies, while some even received words of encouragement from their sporting heroes about the importance of chasing their dreams.

The NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) was well represented by a host of its scholarship athletes in attendance, including Paralympians Mali Lovell, Ameera Lee, Gordon Allan, Dan Michel, Jamieson Leeson, Dylan Littlehales plus Olympians, Zoe Arancini, Dani Jackovich, Keesja Gofers, Genevieve Longman (pictured above), Josh Azzopardi, Evie Haseldine, Grae Morris, and Peter Boukouvalas .

Zoe Arancini, who captained the Australian water polo team ‘The Stingers,’ to its prized silver medal, had a simple- but pertinent – message for the kids in the crowd when she said ‘doing your best’ was one message she has valued throughout her career.

“For the kids here, have a go . . . that’s how it starts, having a go,” she said, after recalling how, as a nine-year-old, she dressed as the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games mascot Syd [the platypus] at a school assembly.

“Sport isn’t just about winning. Sport teaches you so much. It teaches you to overcome tough obstacles or challenges. You make some really great friendships. It teaches you to work with other people together for a common goal, and it develops you into the best version of yourself.”

Jamieson Leeson (pictured below) who created history by winning the nation’s first female medal – a gleaming silver – in the sport of boccia, said simply qualifying for the Paralympics was a triumph.

“From the beginning of my boccia journey my first dream and goal was to make the Paris Paralympic Games,” said Leeson, who was acknowledged by the crowd with thunderous applause.

“To go there was just as big of a success as to come home with the silver medal.

“The whole Australian Paralympic team, who is now my family, we got to celebrate the highs and lows together. I think just to be a part of that and to play a part in the success of Australia – and to make history – was very special.”

Grae Morris, who won the silver medal for windsurfing on the waters off the southern French city of Marseille, said the importance of the support he received throughout his campaign was immeasurable.

“I definitely felt it.” said Morris (photographed with, left, NSWIS’s Andrew Logan and, right, NSWIS CEO Kevin Thompson) of the energy. “I couldn’t hear it from Australia, but I could hear it from my mum and my dad.

“I went past the rock wall where everyone gets to sit and watch us and I had my whole family, friends as well, screaming and cheering, and just from them being there, I knew that the rest of Australia was behind me.”

Boccia player Dan Michel (pictured below with Premier Chris Minns), who added a silver medal to the bronze he won at Tokyo, said he fed off the enthusiasm of the Parisian crowds.

“For me, on an individual level, super special,” Michel replied when quizzed by Channel Nine host Allison Langden about his achievement.

“I think the crowds in Rio were awesome, Tokyo was different, being the Covid Games, but [in] Paris to have the crowd support again and people getting behind boccia was super special,” he said.

“And maybe some of them will represent their country as well, so thanks to everybody for giving us a Games that we will never forget.”

Daniel Lane, NSWIS