Speeches
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Presentation of Australian Sports Medals
I warmly welcome you all to Government House.
It’s my great pleasure to invest today six South Australians with the Australian Sports Medal, for your participation in the 2023 Virtus Games in Vichy, France.
I congratulate the athletes present on their outstanding efforts at the Games.
As members of the Australian team, you were part of the second largest team in the competition, after France.
As a young person I rowed competitively as part of the Adelaide University Boat Club, so I understand how rewarding it is to be part of a team.
You have had the added experience of representing your country – what an honour.
I hope you are very proud of this achievement.
Being an athlete requires a tremendous amount of commitment.
You train your bodies to become fit and agile, and you train your minds to overcome fear and doubt.
You go to practice even on days when you might not feel like it.
You show persistence and strength to learn new skills and reach your personal best times or distances.
And you learn how to collaborate and work together to pursue a common goal.
These are all excellent life skills that will stand you in good stead in other areas of your life, such as a job.
Friends,
Behind every great athlete is a support team of people working to set their athletes up for success.
I thank the team at Sport Inclusion Australia for its coordination of Australia’s participation in the Virtus Games.
The inclusion of people with disability into domestic and international competitions brings a range of benefits not only to athletes, but to our community as a whole.
I trust many of you would have watched the Paralympics in Paris on television earlier this year and witnessed some of the incredible feats of the athletes.
These athletes inspired us all with their skill and commitment, just as the athletes here today have done.
I also thank all the coaches, for training our athletes to their highest potential.
And I thank athletes’ families and friends for their assistance.
From helping with the cost of uniforms, training and travel to competitions, through to emotional support and encouragement when times get tough – your support has been vital.
Athletes,
On behalf of all South Australians, congratulations.
I know you will wear your medal with pride, as ambassadors both for your sport and for inclusion in our society.
Thank you for giving us much to celebrate today.
Whether you have retired from your sport, or plan to keep training for the next Virtus Games, I wish you all the very best for your future.