Article courtesy of ABC News.
Australia’s 2024 Paris Paralympic Games athletes have arrived back at Sydney Airport this morning, relieved to be on home soil to greet family and friends.
Australia won 63 medals in total, with 18 gold, 17 silver, and 28 bronze.
That includes six dual gold medallists and 17 who won multiple medals.
Among those was swimmer Timothy Hodge, who won his first individual gold medal in men’s 200m individual medley SM9.
“It’s been a long trip. It’s been a good trip, but it’s to be back home amongst the Aussie crowd, and to be back home with family as well as icing on the cake,” he said.
“The Paralympic campaign has been long. It’s been a bit tiring, but, at the moment, just taking a breather.”
Other athlete shared similar feelings.
Winner of the gold medal in long jump Vanessa Low said she was enjoying the moment and looking forward to a well-earned rest.
The two-time Paralympic gold medallist added that the feelings of coming home after two weeks at the Paralympic Games felt like a “roller-coaster”, and that she needed time to process all the feelings.
“I think I’m definitely going to take a couple of weeks, or probably even a couple months, just to let it all sink in and see how I feel about it.”
Seven-time Paralympian Danni Di Toro said landing was “very emotional” and that the Paralympic community was her family.
“For a really long time, we’ve worked really hard to come together as a community, and work out what that means to be a Paralympian.
“And every time we gather, we solidify what that means, the values, how we are there for one another.”
Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager returned home with the first gold medal in para rowing recorded for Australia.
“I’m overwhelmed and right now physically exhausted, it’s been a big trip back,” Ms Ayers said.
“Looking back on what we have achieved, it hasn’t sunk in yet.”
'Society is recognising that an Olympian and Paralympian are equal'
For others, the response of those waiting for the arrival of the athletes was something special.
Three-time Paralympian and bronze medallist swimmer Rachael Watson said Paralympians have not had a welcome home party offered in previous games.
Family members of the athletes, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn were among those in the welcome home party.
“To have it happen now, here, it means that society is recognising that an Olympian and Paralympian are equal. And their achievement is just as important, and one’s no better than the other,” Ms Watson said.
"I think it's going to really shape the future for people with a disability as well, who have that same dream as people like me."
'Pride and courage'
Family and members of the public alike arrived at Sydney Airport early on Wednesday morning to greet the athletes.
Amanda Lesson, mother of Jamieson Leeson, the first Australian woman to win a Paralympic silver medal in boccia, said she was incredibly proud of her daughter.
“She’s done it on her own. It’s just so exciting for the future, to see how far she can go. It was just really tough to be home watching,” she told ABC’s News Breakfast.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country was proud of this year’s Paralympic Games’ athletes and how they represented Australia.
“They have represented their country with pride and with courage,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
Mr Albanese said he believed the positivity and joy of the athletes who competed would inspire the next generation.
“There’ll be young Australians who have been watching over the last couple of weeks, and they’ll be thinking to themselves, ‘I reckon I can have a crack in Brisbane 2032, so that’ll inspire the next generation.'”
Among those in the crowd eager to greet the Paralympians was teenager Matilda Chesterton, a para-fencer and aspiring professional athlete.
She’s hoping to qualify for 2032 and said the Paris Games have been nothing short of inspirational.
"It's just great being able to see people who have similar disabilities to me be able to go out and do what they love."
Australia won medals in nine sports including boccia, athletics, canoe, cycling, rowing, swimming, table tennis, triathlon and wheelchair rugby.
In swimming, Alexa Leary, Tim Hodge and Callum Simpson each won two golds and a silver, as did Lauren Parker in triathlon and cycling.
