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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-09-10 Daily Xml
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OLYMPIC GAMES

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (16:28): We have just seen the conclusion of the Beijing Olympic Games and the magnificent performances of the athletes who represented this country and state so brilliantly. Like the rest of Australia, I was awestruck by the opening ceremony. It was a breathtaking spectacle that more than set the stage for a very well run and organised 16 days of competition. I am a fan of the Olympic Games because, for however brief a moment, they remain a unique opportunity for the world to unite, for billions of people to recognise and applaud the triumph of the human spirit, and the culmination of years of sacrifice and hard work.

I know that many of us may have issues with the domestic policies of the host countries, as we did with aspects of China and China's domestic policy this time, but one only had to look at the faces of the 204 flag bearers marching proudly into the Bird's Nest to know that this was not the time to take issue with them. That being said, I am sure that these issues will continue to be fought and I would encourage all administrations to continue their diplomatic efforts to address them.

Australia's performance at the games was fantastic. Our 434 athletes won a total of 46 medals: 14 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze. This was Australia's third best total ever and our second-best at any away-from-home games. The result placed Australia at No. 6 on the gold medal tally and at No. 5 as ranked by medals overall. I am also delighted that my home country of Italy ranked No. 9 on the scoreboard with 28 medals.

There were many outstanding and breathtaking performances at the Beijing Olympic Games, feats that captured the public imagination and entered the record books. Internationally, I do not think we can go past the record-breaking eight gold medals of Michael Phelps or the two world records of Usain Bolt that won him the coveted title of the fastest man on earth. In Australia we pay homage to Stephanie Rice who won three gold medals and to Matthew Mitcham who achieved our first ever gold medal in diving which was an almost perfect performance but, in doing so, we should not forget all the Australian athletes who did their best and who trained long and hard to make their dreams of becoming an Olympian a reality.

I would like to briefly mention some of the athletes who have a connection with my electorate. A few weeks ago I spoke about Hayden Stoeckel, a member of the Norwood Swimming Club, who qualified to represent Australia in the 100 and 200 metres backstroke. In the 100 metres backstroke, Hayden won the semifinal in an Olympic record time to qualify fastest for the final. Hopes were high and, at our local hotel, I held my breath with hundreds of others including his coach, Peter Bishop, while we watched the final on the big screen. I, along with everyone else, was thrilled when Hayden achieved third place and the coveted bronze medal, and I hasten to add that it took a world record to beat him.

Hayden was also a member of the 4 x 100 medley relay team which achieved second place in the final and a silver medal. The Australian team broke the existing world record to finish second but the juggernaut of the American Phelps team pipped them by half a second to claim gold. These are fantastic results for Hayden and his coach, and I am sure that this success has put any doubts about a career in swimming firmly out of Hayden's mind. I look forward to catching up with Hayden and his coach at the Norwood Swimming Club sometime soon. I would also like to give a special mention to Claire Woods who competed in the 20 kilometre walk and is a fellow graduate of a former alma mater of mine, Mary MacKillop College. Claire did a great job and equalled her personal best time to finish 28th. You cannot ask for much more than that.

Now, as we turn our attention to the Paralympics, I have been watching with interest the performances of Matthew Cowdrey and Shelley Rogers who, like Hayden, are also members of the Norwood Swimming Club and are also trained by Peter Bishop. Matthew has already gained a silver and gold medal, not to mention a new world record, to add to his impressive collection, and I know that the federal Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, was thrilled to be part of his medal presentation. Congratulations to Shelley who just missed out on her first event coming fourth. To all athletes competing at the Paralympics, I wish you every success and I hope that all your personal dreams and goals can be realised.

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