Thursday 12th August 2004

The countdown is almost over.
We are on the brink of a wonderful adventure.
A new chapter in Australia's Olympic history is about to begin, and each of us here is privileged to share in it.

There is, of course, something very special about these Games of 2004.
They mean a return to the home of the Ancient Olympics, and the birthplace in 1896 of the Modern Olympics.
And they mean a return to the place where Australia's Olympic story began - the place where our first Olympic hero, Edwin Flack, distinguished himself by winning the 800 and 1500 metres championships, and dueled throughout most of the marathon with the ultimate winner, Louis Spiridon.

Our presence in this historic city reminds of the heritage our countries share - as two nations which can lay undisputed claim to a flawless attendance record at every Modern Summer Olympics.

This Australian Team, the largest we have ever sent away and the second largest of all of the Teams at these Games, represents a fascinating mix.

Because of the large number of retirements that followed the Sydney Games, it contains a larger-than-usual proportion of first-time Olympians.

But it is also seasoned by the presence of a number of distinguished veterans, two of whom will be setting a record by competing in their sixth consecutive Summer Olympics.
In each case, that means 20 years as an Olympian.
They are - the equestrian team member Andrew Hoy, who will attempt to make history in another fashion, by winning his fourth gold medal in a row in the three-day team event - and the sailor Colin Beashel, who had his own proud brush with history as a member of the crew of the Australia II, which won the America's Cup in 1983.
Colin won bronze in the Star class in 1996 with David Giles, who will be crewing with him at these Games.

I should mention that one other Australian has competed in six Olympic Games - the irrepressible skater Colin Coates, who represented us in the Winter Games.

Other notable veterans in this team include the archer Simon Fairweather and the rowers Mike McKay and James Tomkins, all now coming up for their fifth Olympics, and all of them also gold medalists.

We have another twelve athletes competing in their fourth Games including the shooter Michael Diamond and the tennis player Todd Woodbridge, gold medalists too, and three women - basketballer Sandra Brondello, diver Irena Lashko and judoka Maria Pekli - all of them medalists.

You have just heard from two other Olympians who have made us all so proud - Susie O'Neill and Andrew Gaze who had the honour of leading our Australian Team, and of course carrying our national flag, during the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

These people - and so many others who have represented our country, ever since the days of Edwin Flack - have given Australia a luminous Olympic history.
It is a history which so far embraces 349 medals, 104 of them gold.
More importantly, it is a history which offers inspiration and motivation - not just for the first-timers, but for every member of the Team that is about to embark on the adventure that is the Athens Olympics.

To all of our members I say -
You belong to a select group.
You are Olympians, and because of that very fact your life will never be the same.
By your dedication, your determination and ultimately your achievements, you have earned the right to represent this country in the greatest athletic competition the world has known.

Already this Team has given us great reasons for pride.
With the exception of handball, Australia has qualified for every sport on the Olympic program.
And not only that.
We have qualified for 11 team sports at these Games - more than any other nation - yes, that includes the United States - apart from the host country, Greece.

These Games represent a significant moment in all your lives.
Inevitably, you will be inspired and influenced by the example of our great Olympians, a number of whom are here.
But more than that.
It is important to realise that you will also have the opportunity, through your own deeds and behaviour, to influence and inspire the next generation of athletes.

The experience ahead of you, not just on arenas and in front of crowds, is a rare one.
You are living in a wondrous place, a Village which embraces different cultures, languages, religions and ideologies.
Just by being there you are part of a lovely, living celebration of global unity.
Quite simply, but quite truly, the Olympic Village is an embodiment of the spirit that has pervaded the Olympic Movement since 1896.

Australia enjoyed unparalleled success at the Sydney Games, with 58 medals and fourth place on the overall medal tally behind the super-powers - the United States, Russia and China.
History shows that triumphant host nations don't normally enjoy great success at the following Olympics.
That is what happened with South Korea after 1988 and Spain after 1992.
But we aim to buck that trend.

We have set a tough target for this Team.
It is our stated mission to finish this time within the top five nations at the Games.
Given the international performances of our athletes over the past year, we believe it is an objective that is entirely achievable.
We'll soon know.

This occasion represents a special time - a time for bonding, a time of mutual joy and pride and anticipation.

The Games have come home.
We are part of them, and we are confident.
History beckons.

And carrying our National flag, as Team Captain, will be Colin Beashel.
Colin, congratulations and will you please come forward for the "hand over" of the Australian flag from Andrew Gaze.