Tasmanian Olympians and Paralympians return home to heroes’ welcome

Tasmania’s Olympic and Paralympic superstars have returned home to a hero’s welcome in Launceston after the 2024 Olympics. Their advice for the next generation.

Olympians Eddie Ockenden, Sarah Hawe, Max Giuliani, Alexandra Viney, Jacob Despard. Tasmanian Olympians welcome home at Riverbend Park Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Five of Tasmania’s finest athletes returned home to a hero’s welcome in Launceston on Saturday after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Kookaburra Eddie Ockenden, swimmer Max Giuliani, dual Olympian rower Sarah Hawe, Olympic debutant sprinter Jacob Despard, and Paralympian para-rower Alexandra Viney were given a heartfelt and boisterous reception at the free public event held at Riverbend Park.

Fans, young and old, took the opportunity to grab a selfie or an autograph with their heroes and be inspired by hearing stories of the Paris Games directly from the homegrown Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Bronze medallist Max Giuliani with brothers Aiden Smith 11 and Casey Smith 9. Tasmanian Olympians welcome home at Riverbend Park Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Launceston’s dual Paralympian para-rower Alexandra Viney gave a heartfelt account of her sporting journey, motivating other Tasmanian athletes to believe in themselves.

“You cannot be what you cannot see, and right now, you’re looking at people who have overcome so much in their lives,” Viney said.

“We’re here. We’re real. We’re doing what we’ve always dreamt of.

“If you’ve been waiting for someone to tell you, here we are. We’re telling you this is what you can do, this is your time.”

Hobart’s swimming superstar Max Giuliani called the past 18 months a “whirlwind” after packing up and moving to the Gold Coast to train at the Miami club with coach Richard Scarce.

Sarah Hawe signing autographs. Tasmanian Olympians welcome home at Riverbend Park Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Paris bronze medallist said it was wonderful to be back in Tasmania and to see the show of support for himself and fellow athletes.

“It’s amazing to be able to share my experience with other Tasmanians; I think that’s why we do it,” Giuliani said.

“To be able to come back and be able to hopefully inspire the next generations of kids is just amazing.”

One of Tasmania’s most celebrated sportsmen Eddie Ockenden, having enjoyed one of the longest hockey careers Australia’s ever seen, said it was an incredible honour to be asked to carry the Australian flag into the Opening Ceremony and to be back in the state celebrating.

“The whole experience with the flag was pretty crazy,” he said.

“It was a lot to represent Tasmania in that space and to be back here today; I love visiting, and I love being in Tassie.”

The five-time Olympian said he isn’t ruling out a remarkable push for a sixth Olympic Games.

“I think I will just wait and see, and the Olympics comes around very quickly,” Ockenden said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Tasmanian Olympians welcome home at Riverbend Park Launceston. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Premier Jeremy Rockliff joined Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood in congratulating the athletes.

Mr Rockliff said the diversity of Tasmanian sport was on full display at the welcome home event, inspiring the next generation of athletes from across the state.

“Tasmania excels in all sporting areas, and our efforts in Paris were no different with six medals claimed by our inspirational Tasmanian Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” Mr Rockliff said.

“We are very excited to welcome home and celebrate our fellow Tasmanians who have done us proud in the green and gold.”

Originally published as Tasmanian Olympians and Paralympians return home to heroes’ welcome