Hume City has a unique place in Olympic history, but as we celebrate the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad it's the future that locals can get excited about.
The 1956 Melbourne Olympics literally set Hume on the road to Olympic achievement when Broadmeadows became the site of the road circuit event.
The 17-kilometre course, with fairly newly laid bitumen as the suburb took shape, was described as tough with its openness and steep hills - local bike riders may be familiar with the winds.
Starting and finishing on Pascoe Vale Road, travelling through Somerton, Mickleham and Broadmeadows roads; the start line is now a KFC although some street names along the circuit are in honour of the Olympic memories made there.
While we didn't make a mark in the way of athletes in that year, today is a much different story.
Hume City is a proud host of venues and facilities that give local aspiring athletes the means to achieve their highest dream, of which for many is Olympic glory.
Roxburgh Park's Danella Butrus, 16, was recently selected for the Football Victoria Emerging Matildas and has so far scored 17 goals for them this season.
The Matildas have become Australia's most popular national team, selling out home stadiums and lifting up the profile of women's football, and have big medal hopes in Paris.
Gladstone Park Squash Club's Amelia Guziak is currently training with the VIS, and with the news that squash will be included in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles the door is open for her.
BMX Racing is now a fixture on the Olympic schedule; Sunbury currently holds a significant place in the national sport with the Sunbury BMX Club hosting State Championship events attracting national competitors.
Craigieburn-raised Penola Catholic College student Eziyoda Magbegor is a member of the Australian Opals squad, heading to her second Olympics and a genuine chance for a podium finish in Paris.
Soon to be three-time Olympian Linden Hall began athletics in Sunbury as a child, where she competed at Sunbury Little Athletics.
Also from Sunbury, and also a three-time Olympian, shooter Sue McCready is seeking her first medal, proving that there's plenty of opportunity in non-mainstream sports.
And standing as inspiration for all embarking on their Paris journey, Paralympic gold medalist and Sunbury resident Ashleigh McConnell has an Order of Australia Medal for her ongoing service to sport.
Ashleigh was a gold medallist in world record time at Rio in the S9 Women's 4x100m freestyle relay, part of a four-race program.
Hume City Council is committed to uplifting sports for people of all ages as a way to improve social and physical wellbeing.
Our Sports Club Development programs help develop suburban clubs so that locals have accessible, structured sports programs close to home.
Our Sports Aid Grants aim to remove financial barriers for our young athletes on their path to sporting achievement.
Quotes attributable to Hume City Mayor Cr Naim Kurt:
"Hume City Council has a rich connection with the Olympic story, with the Track Cycling taking place in Broadmeadows during the 1956 Olympic games."
"As the Olympics return in Paris, we wish all those representing Australia and especially from Hume, the very best"
"With world-class facilities like Sunbury's BMX Track, Craigieburn's Tennis Centre, and the Broadmeadows' State Rugby League Centre, Hume is cementing itself as Melbourne's sporting capital and I look forward to seeing the growth of interest in sport across our community that comes from these games"
