Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I start, I would like to congratulate Sam Stosur, the winner of the US Open. It is fantastic for Australia and for the world. I met Sam recently in Tasmania and she is a fantastic Australian.

I rise today to congratulate the passionate and enthusiastic young Tasmanians who participated in the recent Tasmanian Special Olympics. I attended the Special Olympics event, which was held in my electorate of Bass. I found it extremely inspiring to see so many young schoolchildren and teenagers with a disability engaging in sporting activities. The athletes participated in a range of sports, including tenpin bowling, soccer, basketball and athletics. These passionate athletes were an inspiration not only to themselves but to their friends, family and the wider community. With the London Olympic Games less than a year away, this is a timely reminder that we should consider holding the Olympic and Paralympic Games simultaneously rather than as separate sporting events.

Congratulations are also needed for the young people who organised the event and competitions with as much enthusiasm as the participants. It was a pleasure to see families, friends, school supporters and schoolteachers engaging with the athletes. Again, I congratulate all involved. It was great to be a part of such a special event.