Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the government, and on behalf of the people of Australia, it is a privilege to welcome the members of the 1980 Australian Olympic team joining us here today in Parliament House. Today, as a parliament, we honour your contribution to our nation's Olympic history. We recognise your participation, but, importantly as well, we recognise your pain. We extend that recognition to all those who cannot be with us today.

To qualify for an Olympic Games demands exceptional talent and so much more. It requires character, courage, commitment, years of hard work, single-minded dedication and sacrifice. Athletes and their loved ones pour countless hours into the pursuit of the Olympic dream. The culmination of that effort—being selected to represent the greatest nation on Earth, Australia, on the biggest sporting stage in the world—should be a moment of fierce and absolute pride. When you are chosen to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you. And, on your return, you should be welcomed home and celebrated for the inspiration you have brought to the next generation of Australian athletes.

Yet, 45 years ago, the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan cast a dark shadow over what should have been your shining moment. As nations around the world grappled with the boycott, Australia's athletes—some still only teenagers—were placed in an incredibly difficult position. One hundred and twenty-one Australians chose to compete under the Olympic flag, and others chose to join the boycott. And some who had won selection never even had the chance to choose, because their sport made that decision for them. Those who went and those who withdrew were both subject to all manner of vile abuse, even death threats.

Lisa Forrest was just 16 when she was made captain of the women's swim team. She wrote of how her family kept a whistle next to the home phone to blast the constant prank callers. Chris Wardlaw, who competed in the marathon at both Montreal and Moscow, recalls that back in 1976 a marching band had played 'Waltzing Matilda' to farewell the athletes. In 1980, the last question he was asked by a journalist at the airport was: 'Do you feel that you are being traitors to Australia?'

Looking back, it is little wonder that many still bear scars and trauma from those days. That only makes the efforts and success of the Australian team at those games all the more extraordinary. Australia won nine medals, including gold for Michelle Ford in the women's 800-metre freestyle and gold in the men's 4x100-metre medley.

These were Australia's first gold medals since the Munich Olympics of 1972, yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. Today, we fix that. Today, on the 45th anniversary, we recognise all that you have achieved and acknowledge all that you have overcome. Take pride in both. You are Olympians, you are Australians, and you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation. Welcome to parliament, and welcome home.

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