Australia’s Olympic team is now confirmed, with at least 7 New Englanders or former residents of our region selected to represent their country.
460 Olympians will compete for Australia at the July 26-August 11 Paris Olympics in every sport except handball. Only the Sydney home Olympics, London and Tokyo have featured bigger Australian teams.
Australians will compete at the July 26-August 11 Olympics in every sport except handball.
A feature of this Olympic team is the broad range of sports where Australia has medal-winning potential.
In terms of medal spread, the record is 20 at the 2000 home Games – but this time there are genuine podium chances in at least 22 sports.
“One of the things that is quite pertinent … is that we are having quite a bit of success and great performances across the board, in a breadth of sports,” team chef de mission Anna Meares has said.
“The potential for that to translate into Olympic medals is very exciting.”
Australia won 17 gold medals in Tokyo, equalling Athens in 2004 for the most at an Olympics. The most medals was 58 at Sydney.
Australia traditionally sources most medals from swimming, athletics, cycling, rowing and sailing – the top five sports in the nation’s proud Olympic history.
The sailing and rowing teams have several strong medal contenders, while weightlifting, boxing, equestrian, tennis, golf, basketball, hockey, rugby sevens, soccer and water polo all feature prominently in Olympic predictions.
The known New Englanders vying for a medal include:
Nick Kay – Basketball – Tamworth
The former Tamworth Thunderbolt, McCarthy Catholic College student and Australian Basketball Hall of Famer, Nick Kay is off to his second Olympics, hoping to better his Bronze medal from Tokyo.
Shannon Davey – Boxing – Narrabri
24 year old Narrabri boy Shannon Davey moved to Bundaberg three years ago to pursue his love of boxing and is now on his way to his first Olympics in Paris.
Hilary Scott – Equestrian Jumping – Moree
This will be the first Olympics for 36 year old Hilary Scott who learned to ride before she could walk on her family’s property near Moree. From her beginnings at the Moree’s beloved pony camps to her current base in the Netherlands has been quite a ride, and the pundits say that she and Milky have a good shot at a medal.
Thaisa Erwin – Equestrian Jumping – Armidale
Joining Hilary on the first all-female showjumping team for Australia is 43 year old Thaisa Erwin, who is finally making it to the Olympics riding Hialita B. She qualified to compete at the Athens games in 2004, but was not selected in the Olympic team. UK born Thaisa has lived all over the world, but learned to ride dressage when her family lived in Armidale.
Alice Arnott – Hockey – Willow Tree
Calrossy Girl and Willow tree local Alice Arnott was added to the Hockeyroos Squad for the Olympics after just three national representative games. This is the first Olympics for the 26 year old with a promising future in hockey.
Grace Young – Hockey – Armidale
Armidale born and Grafton raised, 21 year old Grace Young has very quickly made her way to the Hockeyroos in just a few short years – from a breakout performance in the Hockey One league, via strong form in the national U21 team, the Jillaroos, and into the Australian squad.
Laura Gourley – Women’s Quadruple Sculls – Narrabri
Narrabri girl Laura Gourley took up rowing as a boarder at Loreto Normanhurst. Studying ag science at Sydney University, the daughter of Ian and Georgina Gourley trains in a cotton irrigation dam when she’s home to visit the family.
Do you know any other New England connections to Olympians? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au