Paris Olympics, Paralympics: Darren Hicks among Australian athletes at Welcome Home Celebrations
A Territorian was among the sea of gold, silver and bronze medals that were on show during the Darwin leg of the Paris Welcome Home Tour.
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Australian Olympic and Paralympic heroes embraced Darwin fans as they signed autographs and took selfies at Casuarina Shopping Centre on Saturday.
In the Top End as part of the Welcome Home Celebrations, Olympic and Paralympic medallists spent time talking to fans, giving Q&A’s and posing for pictures as part of the tour.
The athletes in attendance included: Zac Stubblety-Cook – Swimming, Matthew Glaetzer – Cycling, Darren Hicks (Territorian) – Para-cycling, Lani Pallister, Swimming, Natalya Diehm – BMX Freestyle, Zoe Arancini – Water Polo, Nikki Ayers – Para-rowing and Shae Graham (Darwin-born) – Wheelchair Rugby.
Territory expat turned Tokyo gold and silver medallist and Paris bronze medallist Darren Hicks was stoked to be back where his cycling journey began, up in Darwin as part of the touring group.
“My journey started here,” Hicks said, referencing his Territory roots prior to his relocation to South Australia at age 21.
“I’ve ridden for as long as I can remember, I was racing BMX before there were roofs above the tracks.
“So while I’ve spent a long time away, it’s good to be back and see what’s changed, what hasn’t.
“I’ve been out on my bike everyday since I’ve been here, riding where I used to, out and about, I’ve loved it.
“I’m actually really happy to be back, it’s a weird feeling and I’ve been reminiscing, remembering where I came from and where I started my journey.”
Over the moon to be part of the welcome home celebrations after the Tokyo Games’ equivalent were cancelled under Covid-19 protocol, Hicks said he was glad Darwin got some love after often being the odd ones out.
“Having the experience of friends, family and supporters getting around you is quite special, and we get to show off the shiny things we won in Paris,” he said.
“Every state has had their own version of this welcome home, the NT was a bit behind because of the change in government but we made it here in the end which is great.
“Acknowledging that there are actually plenty of great and talented athletes that come from the Territory is important as a lot of the country seems to forget; due in part to people moving for better facilities in other states, and that’s where they make their careers.
“The Territory is the forgotten state and being able to be part of a cohort that can provide some visibility to the athletes and kids up here can only be good.”
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