Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Queensland, including Noosa’s Kareena Lee, will be cheered at the official welcome home celebration in Brisbane on Friday 8 October.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Olympic and Paralympic athletes from Queensland would reunite at the Covid-safe event at King George Square so a home crowd could applaud their fantastic achievements.
“The welcome will be even more exciting, knowing that we have also been chosen to host the Games in 2032,“ she said.
“For the first time, Olympians and Paralympians will have a joint celebration, and I invite Queenslanders to share the atmosphere on Friday for a day to remember.”
Queensland-based athletes won 56 medals at the Olympics and Paralympics, with a 28-medal haul in individual and team events at each of the Games.
These included Australian Paralympians from Queensland winning nine gold, eight silver and 11 bronze, contributing 28 medals to Australia’s total of 80. Australian Olympians based in Queensland brought home 28 of Australia’s total of 46 medals at the Olympics, with 13 gold, four silver and 11 bronze.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he was honoured to be awarding them with the Keys to the City.
“This is a great opportunity for kids to start dreaming of emulating the success of our Olympians and Paralympians on home soil when the Games are held in Brisbane in 2032,” he said.
“This Olympic Team was not only one of the most successful to leave Australia but one that inspired the nation through their humility and sportsmanship,” Australian Olympic Committee chief executive officer Matt Carroll said.
“Inspirations like five-time gold medallist Emma McKeon and our amazing swim team.
“Their stories demonstrated the power of sport, showing that sport can bring us all closer together and celebrate what is great about this nation.“
Paralympics Australia chief executive officer Lynne Anderson said, “Para-athletes from Queensland made up less than a quarter of the Australian Paralympic Team for Tokyo 2020, yet won more than half of our gold medals, an incredible result.
The official Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games welcome home celebration will take place at King George Square, Brisbane, noon-1pm on Friday 8 October.
