Mesmerised by the Rings: Reflections from Paris 2024

Two unforgettable weeks in Paris. The Games were a whirlwind of emotion, excitement, and epic moments that inspired people from all across the globe. From the roar of the crowds at the Opening Ceremony to my quiet reflections this week, Paris 2024 will stay with me forever. It marked my ninth Games experience in my lifetime – five as a competitor, one as a spectator, one as an athlete liaison, and watching Tokyo from home like the rest of the world did in 2021.

This time, I was honoured to be in Paris, wearing many hats (including the Phrygian cap, of course!) – working with Deloitte court side at beach volleyball, being a part of OLY House with the World Olympians Association, cheering on our Aussie Athlete Fund-supported athletes, and keeping a watchful eye on the whole event as a Board Member for Brisbane 2032. And of course my favourite hat... an avid fan of all sports!

As we look forward to our Paralympians taking the stage next week (and it will be my first Paralympic Games in person!) here are my top 10 reflections from the Olympic Games:

 

1. Sunshine in the Rain: Watching Team Australia float down the Seine. Pouring rain? No worries! Our athletes brought sunshine to the Opening Ceremony with their golden energy, reminding me how special it is to be part of this global community. Once an Olympian, always an Olympian! #OLY

 

 

2. Igniting the Flame: Holding the Paris 2024 torch with the legendary Dawn Fraser and my partner in GOLD Kerri Pottharst. Sharing that moment with my daughter, Jordan – priceless. This is what legacy is all about, passing the torch to the next generation and inspiring them to chase their dreams.

 

 

3. Breaking Barriers: 2024 marked a historic milestone – gender parity at the Games for the first time ever. I had the unique opportunity to take to the runway for 4 The Walk with some amazing female Olympians. Walking the runway was quite an experience, but don’t worry, I won’t be trading in my sports gear for a modelling career anytime soon!

 

 

4. Beach Volleyball Icons: Watching Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar compete under the Eiffel Tower. Almost as iconic as Bondi Beach (I might be biased). Being there as part of the Deloitte team made it even more special.

 

 

5. Green and Gold Excellence: Saya Sakakibara winning gold in BMX. Jess Fox taking 2 golds in the canoe, and her sister Noemie winning the new kayak cross event! Matt Denny’s bronze in discus and Nina Kennedy winning our first ever field gold on the same night! And, of course, the Aussie swim team racking up 18 medals! 53 medals overall – our most successful Games yet! I feel so grateful to have been there to witness so many iconic medal moments. The world took notice of Australia, and how we bat well above our average across a diverse range of sports, from skateboarding to BMX to kayak to water polo.

 

 

6. Showbiz, Baby!: Snoop Dogg as the unofficial mascot of the Games, Tom Cruise rappelling into the Stade de France, Hollywood style… All a taste of what’s to come in Los Angeles 2028. Sport, music, entertainment – it all comes together to create the experience. And speaking of mascots, will we see local and international sensation, Bluey, or the bin chicken, or maybe a bilby as the face of Brisbane 2032?

 

 

7. Epic Finale: 71,000 people packed into the Stade de France for an emotional and spectacular closing ceremony. The French crowd’s energy was electric, and their support for every French competitor, whether winning or losing, was heartwarming. This sense of community was a highlight of the Games, showing that the world has been starved of this kind of engagement post-COVID.

 

 

8. Countdown to 2032: Looking ahead to Brisbane, there’s so much to be excited about. Queensland has it all: natural beauty, great weather, amazing people, and warm hospitality. We’ll bring our own unique touch to the Games, showcasing everything from the rich histories and cultures of First Nations peoples, to natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef. There's no place like Queensland, and I can’t wait to share it all with the world.

 

 

9. Family Moments: Experiencing all of this with my daughter and wife was incredibly special. Seeing Jordan completely mesmerised by the magic of the Games reminded me why we do this – to inspire the next generation to dream big, believe in themselves, and give it everything they've got.

 

 

10. Lessons Learned: Paris 2024 set a golden standard for future Games. From transport that was seamless and secure, to venues that brilliantly merged tradition with modernity, there were so many positives to take away. For Brisbane, we have the opportunity to build on this by focusing on sustainability, healthier food options at venues (perhaps led by Health and Wellbeing Queensland), and ensuring our volunteers are just as energetic and impactful as the amazing people in Sydney 2000. And, of course, making sure our athletes are supported – both on and off the field – with living wages and a legacy that continues to build on our thriving sports culture.

Sport unites and inspires us all! Paris reminded us of that, and Brisbane will continue that legacy into 2032 and beyond. I can’t wait to be back in Paris next week to cheer on our Paralympics Australia athletes!