Article by Erin Smith, courtesy of the Courier Mail.
Chants of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie rang out across South Bank where 1000 fans welcomed home from Paris almost 60 Queensland Olympic and Paralympic athletes in a colourful green and gold parade.
A marching band played Land Down Under as the stars stopped to take selfies and sign autographs.
Swimmer Lani Pallister was among the few members of the triumphant Dolphins, showing off the gold she won with the women’s 4x200m freestyle team at her debut Games.
Pallister was beaming alongside Stingers silver medallist Gabi Palm, whose water polo team got to the gold medal match after defeating USA in an enthralling penalty shoot out – the first time the Stingers had got the better of the gold medal favourites.
But she had little time to soak up the atmosphere before having to make a mad dash and wardrobe change to make the Swimming Australia Awards just a couple of hours later.
After the athletes walked across the stage, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner presented all the Queensland Olympians and Paralympians with the keys to the city.
Mr Schrinner said he hoped the athletes’ incredible stories of perseverance would inspire a new generation to aim for 2032 Brisbane Games.
