Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has quashed speculation about the possibility of a new public holiday to celebrate Australia’s historic performance at the Paris Olympics. Despite the nation’s athletes securing an impressive 41 medals, including 18 golds, Albanese made it clear that any talk of a national day off is not on the government’s agenda.
Record-Breaking Olympic Performance
Australia’s athletes have delivered a standout performance in Paris, surpassing previous records set in Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021 due to the pandemic) and Athens 2004. The current tally, as of Thursday morning, includes 18 gold, 12 silver, and 11 bronze medals, making this one of the country’s most successful Olympic campaigns.
Public Holiday Rumors Addressed
Appearing on the Sunrise show, Albanese was questioned by Olympian Matt Shirvington about the possibility of introducing a new public holiday in recognition of Australia’s sporting success. “A national public holiday, is that on the cards? Could this be the new date for Australia Day potentially?” Shirvington asked.
In response, the Prime Minister redirected the responsibility to employers, saying, “I think your days off are ones to negotiate with your management.” He added that while many Australians might feel exhausted after following the Games closely, any additional holiday would not be decided by the government.
Praise for Australian Athletes
While dismissing the idea of a new public holiday, Albanese was quick to praise the athletes for their remarkable achievements. “It is a fantastic achievement. They have brought joy, excitement, and pride to every Australian,” he said. He specifically mentioned Keegan Palmer, who successfully defended his gold in skateboarding, and highlighted the breadth of sports where Australia excelled, including pole-vaulting, sailing, cycling, and skating.
Albanese also shared his recent Zoom call with some of the athletes, noting the positive spirits among those who have completed their events. With more competitions still to come, including boxing and other finals, the Prime Minister expressed hope for additional victories before the Games conclude.
Australia’s Olympic Standing
As of day 12 of the Paris Games, Australia ranks third in the overall gold medal count, trailing only the United States and China, which have secured 27 and 25 golds, respectively.