Welcome, honourable senators. It is day two. What a summer.

Today, I wish to celebrate our outstanding athletes at the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. The glow continues for competitors, coaches, families, volunteers and all those who watched. Whether you were part of the home team in Canada or there in Paris, there was much to celebrate. We won 27 medals at the Olympic Games, including 9 gold medals. We had 8 medals in the pool and 5 in athletics, including 2 gold medals for Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers in the hammer throw. Only one other country — Poland — has done this during any Olympic Games.

I must acknowledge Aaron, Jerome, Brendon and Andre with a stunning victory in the men’s 4x100 metre that was 28 years in waiting; Alysha Newman, Canada’s first-ever Olympic medallist in pole vault; Katie Vincent in the C-1; Christa Deguchi, Canada’s first-ever Olympic champion winning gold in judo; and in breaking, Philip Kim was crowned the first Olympic champion.

Just about every medal won had some significant historical context, including Canada’s best-ever result won by the women’s rugby sevens — a silver — and Eleanor Harvey won Canada’s first-ever medal in fencing.

There were so many other personal bests and, yes, disappointments, which all define sport.

Coaches — this week is National Coaches Week. We celebrate you.

For the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, I was so grateful to be there in person. It was an absolute showcase of athletic excellence, drive, passion, compassion, resilience and pride. What athletes with disabilities do on the field of play — and we know our dear hearts are here today — is nothing short of miraculous.

In addition to witnessing competition in person, listening to families and being hosted by His Excellency Mr. Stéphane Dion, Canada’s Ambassador to France, I also had the unique and eye-opening opportunity to meet with Ukrainian Paralympians. I listened to the stories of five Ukrainian competitors who suffered catastrophic injuries defending their country against Russian aggression, and here they were, competing in Paris. I will never forget each of their stories.

A game changer in Paris was the vision of having one organizing committee for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It raised the bar and closed the gap for two outstanding, environmentally responsible games.

Senators, I urge you and beg you to reach out to the athletes and coaches in your communities. Honour them. Thank them. They will never forget this. In spite of no increase in national sport core funding for 19 years, they made us so proud.

As for the athlete within you, I have two important invitations for you today. Next Thursday, I invite you to all join us for Sneak It In day. Pack your sneakers, please, for next week as we celebrate Sneak It In day on Thursday, September 26. It is a ParticipACTION initiative that encourages Canadians to build in short movement breaks throughout the day. We need that.

On October 8, you are invited to join us for national bike day. You have received an invite; RSVP and let us know if you need a bike. Let’s get out there, get moving and continue to celebrate our Team Canada that unites us and inspires us.

Thank you.