Sturt Olympic and Paralympic Games Review

On the 28th of August, the Paralympic Games will begin in Paris. I would like to wish Sturt constituent Thomas Goodman the best of luck as he competes in his first Paralympic Games in the para-triathlon.

Thomas follows in the footsteps of fellow Sturt constituent and one of Australia’s greatest Paralympians, Libby Kosmala OAM. Libby competed in 12 consecutive Summer Paralympic Games from 1972 through to the 2016 Rio Games, winning a total of 13 medals, including nine gold medals. Known as one of the world’s best-ever air rifle competitors, Libby also won Bronze in swimming at the 1972 Paralympic Games in Heidelberg.

Libby had the honour of being Australia’s flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games and holds the record for being the oldest Paralympian to ever compete at the Games, competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at the age of 74. In recognition of her achievements, she was inducted into the South Australian Sport Hall of Fame in 2019 and into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2021.

This month also saw the end of Australia’s most successful Olympic Games ever. Our Australian team in Paris won fifty-three medals in total, comprising 18 Gold, 19 Silver and 16 Bronze medals, leading to a fourth-place finish overall. For a country of 27 million people, this is an outstanding result and a testament to our Olympians' hard work and dedication. I would like to acknowledge all Sturt residents who competed in the Games, particularly Matthew Glaetzer, who won two Bronze medals in the Men's Team Sprint and the Men's Keirin.

Congratulations to all participants in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Your dedication and talent make Australia one of the world's proudest and most successful sporting nations.