Darwin to host Olympic and Paralympic welcome home celebration on October 5
Territorians will get the chance to get up close to some of our Olympic and Paralympic heroes in Darwin for a special welcome home celebration. Find out who’s coming up.
Northern Territory
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Territorians have the chance to welcome home Australia’s Olympians and Paralympians in a grand celebration at venues across the Greater Darwin area.
The event is one of 10 being held across the country on October 5 to celebrate the recent success of the Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Territorians are encouraged to head to Casuarina Square Shopping Centre from 12pm to create an unforgettable welcome home celebration for the teams.
The athletes will sign autographs and talk to fans before heading to the newly opened Casuarina Pool at 1pm.
They will then head on to the SWELL at the Palmerston Recreation Centre to participate in have a go sports with local children with the hopes of inspiring the next generation.
Among those coming north is Stingers water polo captain and silver medallist Zoe Arancini, four-time Olympian and dual bronze winning cyclist Matt Glaetzer and bronze medallist BMX rider Nat Diehm.
Dual Paralympian cyclist and bronze medallist Darren Hicks is also among the yet to be completed list of athletes.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the event would provide a great opportunity for Territorians to meet the teams and grab a selfie or an autograph with their heroes.
“Our Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes have done us so proud on the global sporting stage and their inspirational achievements brought us together as a nation,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“Saturday will be the perfect opportunity for everyone to congratulate our athletes on their amazing sporting success in Paris and the spirit in which they competed.
“Darwin is a proud of the achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and we can’t wait to give our athletes a final ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’, on Saturday.”
Paralympics Australia Interim chief executive Cameron Murray said they were grateful for the support the NT government support in hosting the Paralympic and Olympic stars.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our athletes to meet with the local community and to say thank you,” he said.
“The 2024 Australian Paralympic Team featured several athletes from the NT including representatives in swimming, wheelchair basketball, track and field, cycling and wheelchair rugby.
“We look forward to building our ties and sporting pathways in the Territory so more people there have the chance to pursue sport and perhaps one day represent the nation.”
Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll AM said such events were an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate sporting heroes.
“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,” he said.
Sports Minister Jinson Charls said having the athletes in Darwin and engaging with young Territorians would be inspirational.
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