Premier Anna Bligh wished the Queensland members of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams the best of luck for Beijing at a special farewell to athletes function held at Nova 106.9 at Teneriffe on Thursday 17 July 2008.
Premier Anna Bligh meets Tige Simmons (wheelchair basketball), Matthew Cameron (athletics) and Cameron Carr (wheelchair rugby).
The Queensland contingent in the Australian Women’s Olympic Water Polo team.
Left to right: Mel Rippon, Amy Hetzel, Bronwen Knox, Suzie Fraser and Kate Gynther.
Stars from other sports were on hand to farewell the Olympians and Paralympians. Luke Power and Jamie Charman from the Brisbane Lions with netball legend Vicki Wilson.
Premier Anna Bligh and Lyndsie Fogarty (canoe / kayak-flatwater).
Legendary swimming coach and Australian Coordinator of Activities in the Olympic Village at Beijing, Laurie Lawrence with MCs for the night Sharon Ghidella and Jim Wilson from the Seven Network.
Premier Anna Bligh and Kristie-Anne Ryder, the only Queenslander and the youngest member of the Australian Olympic judo team.
Olympic long jumper Bronwyn Thompson, Olympic shot putter Justin Anlezark and former Olympic sprinter Denise Robertson-Boyd.
Premier Anna Bligh chats with Paralympian swimmer Blake Cochrane. Blake’s favourite sporting quote: "Pain is temporary, but glory lasts forever".
Luke Trickett, Australian swimming golden girl Lisbeth Trickett and Michael Wenden, the Australian Olympic Committee Deputy Chef de Mission Beijing 2008 and a dual swimming gold medallist at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
Premier Anna Bligh wishes blind runner and conquerer of Mount Everest, Gerrard Gosens good luck for his athletic events at the Beijing Paralympics.
Olympians and Paralympians were greeted by the John Paul College cheerleading team the Nova Starz. Courtney Keath (left)and Georgene Kelly hold up Jessica Taylor with Mikayla Ivanov in front.
Premier Anna Bligh and Amy Hetzel (water polo).
The Australian Children’s Choir motivated the athletes with their rendition of "I Still Call Australia Home."
President of the Australian Paralympic Association Greg Hartung, Premier Anna Bligh and President of the Queensland Olympic Committee Richard Powell.
Zak Morcillo and ‘Nova Boy’ from the Nova 106.9 "Street Team" with Paralympian Abebe Fekadu. Originally from Ethiopia, Abebe will represent Australia in powerlifting.
Premier Anna Bligh with the world’s fastest woman in the pool, Libby Trickett. On 29 March 2008, Libby swam 23.97 seconds for the 50 metres freestyle.
