There's no denying there are many Tasmanians in need of an uplifting distraction from all the doom and gloom in the world right now.
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The recent Tokyo Olympics inspired us all, and with the Paralympic Games officially getting underway tomorrow, excitement is in the air.
Australia is sending its largest contingent of athletes ever seen at an overseas Paralympic Games, with the team of 179 just eclipsing the 175 who competed at Rio in 2016. Our country has been represented by a larger number of athletes only once since the first Paralympics Games, in Rome in 1960 - the home Games in Sydney.
Qualifying for the Paralympics is an outstanding achievement.
This would be a true statement at any time, but after the year we've just had, our athletes have shown remarkable resilience to get where they are today.
It is this determination that sums up our Olympians - but more particularly, our Paralympians.
In the words of Australian Paralympics chef de mission Kate McLoughlin: "They embody the great strength and diversity of our communities and serve as a beacon for the continued advancement towards a fairer and more inclusive society".
There's no doubt the Games will prove inspiring.
Behind every elite athlete are incredible stories of courage, dedication and achievement.
Tasmania will once again be well represented, with shot putter Todd Hodgetts and runner Deon Kenzie on the Australian athletics team, and Launceston rower Alexandra Viney also vying for glory. She will be the first cab off the rank from the Apple Isle when she contests the PR3 mixed cox four on Friday.
Tasmania might not be in lockdown at the moment, but we won't need any excuse to stay glued to the television over the next two weeks.
It's been a long and difficult road for our athletes to get to this point, but their time has finally arrived. As a state, a country, we couldn't be prouder.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
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