Olympians set to be toasted with ‘huge celebration’ in Melbourne’s CBD for the first time in eight years

For the first time in eight years, our Olympic heroes are set to be welcomed home with a “huge celebration” in the heart of the city, giving fans the chance to get up close and personal with their favourite athletes.

Pentathlete Chloe Esposito kisses her gold medal in the middle of Bourke St Mall in 2016. Picture: Ian Currie

A homecoming celebration in the heart of the city for Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes is set to make a comeback after an eight-year hiatus.

Thousands of Victorians have flocked to homecoming parades following the Athens, Beijing, London and Rio Olympics, but a celebration was scrapped in 2021 amid Covid restrictions.

Now, the City of Melbourne is planning a homecoming bigger than ever before.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the celebration would bring Melburnians “together”.

“When our Olympic and Paralympic heroes return home, we want all Melburnians to be a part of a major city celebration,” he said.

“Melbourne is Australia’s home of sport and it’s only fitting we host a homecoming event for our Olympians and Paralympians in the centre of the city for everyone to come along and revel in this great moment in history.”

Swimmer Kyle Chalmers with fans in Bourke St Mall after winning gold at the Rio Olympics. Picture: Ian Currie

On Tuesday night at a Future Melbourne committee meeting, Mr Reece moved a motion calling on council management to “investigate opportunities” for the event.

The motion was carried, with all eight councillors voting in favour.

According to the motion, the City of Melbourne will now support the event, in partnership with the state government and the Australian Olympic Committee “using funds from the discretionary fund where reasonable to do so”.

But councillor Philip Le Liu said it was a “travesty” that the state government was “not driving” this event, leaving it up to the City of Melbourne.

“I hope they really do come to their senses,” he said.

Almost 100 Victorian athletes have competed at the Paris Olympics across 26 sports, with only those based in the state expected to join the festivities in Melbourne.

They could include gold medallist and road racing cyclist Grace Brown, silver medallist and walker Jemima Montag and bronze medallist and trap shooter Penny Smith.

It remains to be seen whether some of Melbourne’s international superstars – including NBA players Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and Dante Exum – would return following the games.

Other celebrations are being planned in capital cities across the country.

Swimmer Cate Campbell shares her medals with fan Emilee. Picture: Ian Currie

Mr Reece said the “major homecoming event” could take a number of forms following the “street party” in Bourke Street Mall in 2016.

“I would love for there to be a huge celebration in Federation Square,” he said.

“And it would be great if this could be followed by a civic reception at Town Hall, where the council can recognise, acknowledge and toast the huge achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic legends.

“I look forward to working with the Victorian government and the Australian Olympic Committee to develop the best way to fete our athletes.”

In 2021, sports greats and former lord mayor Sally Capp called for a parade to go ahead, suggesting a Covid-safe event would help kickstart Melbourne’s CBD reopening.

But the plan never eventuated.