Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

I believe all Australians are incredibly proud of how our athletes performed at the London summer Olympics over the last two weeks. Our team hit the benchmark that was anticipated, of 35 medals, and while there may have been a few more silver than expected, each and every one of those tells a remarkable story. In fact, each and every Olympian's performance tells a remarkable story of both hard work, often over a lifetime, and each and every one of those performances has earned our respect and our acknowledgement. Somewhere around Australia those performances will inspire a young Australian to perhaps take up that sport for the first time, perhaps to try a little harder in their chosen endeavour, and so that wonderful circle of inspiration by our elite athletes, sustaining a system of high participation rates in sport across the country, continues.

The breadth and depth of Australian sporting talent has been there on show for everyone to see, but it is true we cannot be complacent. As sports assess their high performance programs, they do so knowing the rest of the world has been pretty busy in improving their own with more countries on the podium than ever before and countries including the host, Great Britain, having success that is unprecedented. I particularly acknowledge the Chef de Mission Nick Green and our flag bearers at the opening ceremony, Lauren Jackson, and at the closing ceremony, Malcolm Page, and take this opportunity to congratulate each and every person, Olympians and support staff and their families for such a fine effort in representing Australia so well in London 2012.