Australian Olympic heroes call for Melbourne to host the Games at a welcome home parade

AUSTRALIAN Olympic heroes have called for the greatest sporting show on earth to be staged in Melbourne after being warmly welcomed home from the Rio Olympics.

Womens shooting gold medallist Catherine Skinner at the parade. Picture: Ian Currie

AUSTRALIAN Olympic heroes have called for the greatest sporting show on earth to be staged in Melbourne after being warmly welcomed home from the Rio Olympics.

Adding weight to a call from civic and major event leaders for Melbourne to host the Games for the first time since 1956, some of the nation’s brightest athletes called for an official Victorian bid.

Hundreds of Victorians flocked to a welcome home parade through Bourke St Mall for Australian Olympians today.

Rowing stars Josh Booth and Will Lockwood with their silver medals. Picture: Ian Currie

Olympic parade homecoming in Bourke Street mall. Picture: Ian Currie

The Australian Olympic team and their achievements was celebrated during the parade. Picture: Ian Currie

A young fan hi-fives an Olympian. Picture: Ian Currie

Ballarat’s silver medal 50km walker Jared Tallent suggested it showed the passion Melbourne sports fans would bring to a second Games so “we should definitely give it a crack’’.

“The Olympics in Melbourne would be amazing,’’ he said.

“We’ve already got all the facilities we need and the atmosphere here — the crowds would be electric so it would be brilliant.’’

Mansfield shooting Gold Medallist Catherine Skinner said Melbourne was the perfect place to bring the Games back to Australia.

“I think we’re up to it,’’ he said.

“Melbourne is definitely right there in being really sporty and willing to go out there and make everyone welcome and put on the best show that we could possibly do.’’

Swimming gold medallist Kyle Chalmers takes a selfie with his fans. Picture: Ian Currie

A young fan watches the athletes. Picture: Ian Currie

Still beaming with joy from the ticker-tape parade, golden girl Chloe Esposito agreed Melbourne had what it takes to host the Olympics.

“That would be good,’’ she said.

“I’d like that.’’

And 100m freestyle champion Kyle Chalmers, who revealed he had been told off by team officials for kicking a Sherrin before his race, said Melbourne’s sporting passion was “amazing’’

“It would be absolutely unreal ... I can only imagine would it would be like if we had a home Olympics,’’ he said.

Malvern-born diver Anabelle Smith had no doubt about Melbourne’s ability to throw a sporting party like no other after winning bronze in the women’s synchronised 3m springboard.

“I think Melbourne is the best sporting city and the best city in general in the world,’’ she said.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle last week promised to consult key sports authorities about the possibility of a fresh bid by Melbourne to host the Olympics.

Ron Walker, who chaired the organising committee for Melbourne’s successful 2006 Commonwealth Games, said the city had the right facilities and know-how to pull it off.

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