Sydney’s iconic Tumbalong Park commences Welcome Home Celebrations for hero athletes

Sydney’s iconic Tumbalong Park turned it on for the first leg of the Welcome Home Celebration for Australia’s Olympians and Paralympians, with a big attendance on hand to celebrate.

Sydney turned it on for the first Welcome Home Celebration honouring the return of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes from a successful Paris campaign.

The picturesque Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour was a mood of both celebration and one eye to the future as attention shifts to Los Angeles in 2028 and a home games in Brisbane four years later.

NSW premier Chris Minns gave a stirring welcome to more than 30 athletes on the stage, including 15-year-old skateboarding gold medal winner Ruby Trew.

“You know you’ve done well when you can say in all honesty that if Penrith was a country, it would be the 20th best sporting nation in the world,” he said.

“I can say without fear of contradiction it’s been an amazing tournament for our female athletes. They’ve been unbelievable.”

A host of students from multiple schools gathered near the stage waving flags and entranced by the words of their sporting heroes.

One of those who spoke to the next generation was Zoe Arancini, a member of the women’s water polo team that shocked the world to claim a silver medal.

“After so many near misses we achieved something pretty special,” she said.

Jimmy Huo lapping up the celebrations at the Welcome Home Celebration at Tumbalong Park. Picture: Ikko Ehode Arimoto

“The impact it’s having back at home, I was catching the bus with my suitcase the other day and had a few people tell me they’ve never watched water polo before and it’s been a huge inspiration the way we carried ourselves.

“My inspiration came from the Sydney Olympics. I remember I was nine years old and writing postcards to the Olympians and the whole hype around it.

“It’s the pinnacle event for a lot of sports, so to be able to play for Australia at the highest level and do your best (is incredible).

Zara Cooke of Pymble Ladies College was one of those many students and aspiring Olympians in attendance.

Having recently represented the Australian U16s at the World Water Polo Championships in Turkey and coming home with bronze, Cooke was up all night watching the Stingers, drawing inspiration from the words of Arancini in her hopes of one day making it to the Olympics.

“I was up at 3am to watch them,” she said.

“Tilly Kearns is my favourite. She’s very real and raw with how she does her stuff.

“It was a great experience (going to Turkey). It was hard, but amazing. Hopefully one day in the future (on stage with the Olympians.”