Olympians and Paralympians from the Sunshine Coast who competed at the Tokyo Games will be congratulated at a massive civic reception tomorrow.

The welcome home event, to be held at USC Stadium, has been organised by Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien MP, in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa Council and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

USC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said the University was proud to host this important event at its sports precinct where many of the region’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes had trained for the Tokyo Games.

Professor Bartlett said USC’s strong focus on high-performance sport had played an important role in Australia’s success at the Games.

“I’d like to congratulate the athletes on their amazing results in Tokyo, especially our current students, graduates and members of the USC-based high-performance swimming and cycling teams,” she said.

“And I would also like to commend the work of our Olympic and Paralympic officials that included high-profile USC academic experts in sport science, coaching, nutrition and psychology.”

Mr O’Brien, Special Envoy for the 2032 Olympic Games, said that it was important for residents to have the opportunity to show appreciation for our local Olympians and Paralympians.

“The Tokyo Games were one of our strongest performances ever”, Ted O’Brien MP said. “There’s so much for locals to be proud of with our local Paralympians snagging 14 medals - almost 18 percent of Australia’s total medal count.

“This followed a stellar performance by Olympians such as Sunshine Coast local, now world-famous USC Spartan Kaylee McKeown, who came home with four medals, including three gold.” Mr O’Brien said.

“USC Spartan Paralympic swimmer, Benjamin Hance, wasn’t far behind, coming home with a medal of each colour, and Lakeisha “Lucky” Patterson secured gold in the Women’s 400m Freestyle.”

Thirty-seven (37) athletes and officials from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympics Games call the Sunshine Coast home, as do dozens more Olympians and Paralympians from previous Olympics.

Everyone on the Sunshine Coast is invited to attend this free event, but bookings are essential.

When: 9.30 - 10.45am, Thursday 7 October 2021
Where: University of the Sunshine Coast Stadium, 32 Olympic Way, Sippy Downs
Tickets: www.usc.edu.au/sport (follow the links)