Sydney welcomes home the Australian Olympic Team

Monday, August 20, 2012 

Sydney, New South Wales — Earlier today, in the city's central business district, the Australian Olympic Team were welcomed home in the first of a series of parades to be held in each Australian state capital.

Crowds lined-up along George Street
Image: Bidgee.

Start of the welcome home parade for the Australian Olympic Team
Image: LauraHale.

Australian Olympians on the steps of Town Hall
Image: LauraHale.

Lauren Jackson receiving the key of the City of Sydney
Image: Bidgee.

Jessica Fox receiving the plaque
Image: Bidgee.

Barry O'Farrell, Clover Moore and John Coates on the steps of Town Hall
Image: LauraHale.

Flags were on display throughout the parade and ceremony
Image: LauraHale.

Female dancers on the 2016 Summer Olympic Games float representing Rio, the next city to host the games
Image: LauraHale.

Autographed Welcome Home flag unveiled
Image: Bidgee.

Autographed Australian Olympic Team flag unveiled
Image: Bidgee.

Video of the crowd after the parade
Image: LauraHale.

The homecoming parade speeches.
Audio recording by: Laura Hale.

Thousands of Australians lined George Street, the city's original high street, and in front of Town Hall. At the ceremony welcoming the atheletes home, Lauren Jackson received the key to the city, silver medallist Jessica Fox received a plaque from the Premier of New South Wales, Barry O'Farrell, and Libby Trickett reaffirmed her passion and desire to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Australia's London Olympians signed and displayed an Olympic flag to be given to the Australian Paralympians for the upcoming 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.