The 25 Australians who have led the country as Flag Bearers at Summer Olympic Games will be honoured with a special tribute at the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Dinner to be held in Melbourne Saturday night, 29 June, 2024.
Nine Flag Bearers will be present along with more than 800 guests who are celebrating the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Special guests are the dinner include Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP, IOC Vice President John Coates, AOC President Ian Chesterman and Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh, Prime Minister’s Dinner Executive Chair Peter Fox along with a who’s who of corporate Australia.
The Flag Bearers will be honoured with a spectacular tribute with the following attending in person:
- Raelene Boyle (Athletics), Montreal 1976
- Denise Boyd (Athletics), Moscow 1980
- Max Metzker (Swimming), Moscow 1980
- Wayne Roycroft (Equestrian), Los Angeles 1984
- Jenny Donnet (Diving), Barcelona 1992
- Anna Meares (Cycling), Rio 2016
- Lauren Jackson (Basketball), London 2012
- Cate Campbell (Swimming), Tokyo 2020
- Patty Mills (Basketball), Tokyo 2020
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President Ian Chesterman says each Flag Bearer has made a unique contribution to Australian sport.
“This list tells you so much about the character and nature of the Olympic movement. Drawn from a variety of sports, each is an exceptional athlete and leader in their own right - and of their own time. Each has faced different challenges and pressures.
“As one of only two countries to be represented at every modern Olympic Games, Australia has been wonderfully served by 25 Australians who have led our Team so proudly at Opening Ceremonies since 1920.
“Tomorrow night we celebrate and applaud them all, and we are privileged to have nine of them in the room, including Anna Meares who has been such a transformational figure – Olympic Champion, then Flag Bearer and now Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team in Paris 2024.
Anna Meares says being the flag bearer in Rio 2016 was an unforgettable moment.
“I remember holding that flag and walking through the tunnel trying to out-sing Argentina whom we followed into the stadium.
“As we got closer to the stadium entry I took a deep breathe waiting for the cue to walk in. As AUSTRALIA was announced I remember the noise was so loud I could feel the impact on my body.
“Leading a nation so well respected on the sporting scene globally and walking in with the most motivated group of people I have ever come across still evokes great emotion in me,” she said.
ARIA Award winning artist Jessica Mauboy will also perform a special song on the night.
Historical Note: There were no Australian Flagbearers for Athens (1896), Paris (1900) and St Louis (1904). In London (1908) and Stockholm (1912) Australia and New Zealand competed as “Australasia” and on both occasions the Flag Bearers were New Zealanders. No Games were held in 1916 due to World War One. Rower Merv Wood carried the Flag at two Games – Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956.
The night also celebrates the 14 Paralympic Flag Bearers who have carried the flag for Australia.
Present tomorrow night will be:
- Paul Croft (Athletics/Sitting Volleyball), Seoul 1988
- Libby Kosmala (Shooting), Atlanta 1996
- Louise Sauvage (Athletics), Athens 2004
- Brad Ness (Wheelchair Basketball), Rio 2016
- Ryley Batt (Wheelchair Rugby), Tokyo 2020
Proceeds from the dinner will make a substantial contribution to the cost of sending the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams to Paris and providing the athletes with the best high-performance environment at the Games.
The AOC wishes to thank the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Dinner Chair Peter Fox and his Executive for their tireless work in raising vital funds to allow the Australian Olympic Team to perform at its best In Paris.
