SPORT
Friday December 4, 2020
Cairns Local News
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Olympic legend announced as GBRMG ambassador Australian sporting icon and Olympic gold medallist, Natalie Cook OAM OLY, has been announced as official ambassador of the 2021 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games, to be held in Cairns May 20-23.
success stories of the 2019 event. “Set against the backdrop of our gorgeous Esplanade and foreshore, it was easy to see why beach volleyball was one of the runaway success stories of the 2019 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games and I am sure next year’s Games will be just as enticing for athletes,” Cr Manning said.
Born in Townsville, Natalie was the first Australian woman to compete at five Olympic Games. She is also the only athlete to have competed in all five of the Olympic women’s beach “Nat Cook is a fantasvolleyball tournaments since the sport was introduced in tic ambassador for not Atlanta in 1996. only women’s and masters With Kerri Pottharst as sports, but for the Far North. her partner, she represented We can’t wait to see her Australia at the 1996 Atlanta back out on the court and Games, and won a bronze showcase all the fantastic medal on the sport’s debut. attractions our region has to After a break the pair reoffer.” formed a year before the Since retiring from the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The duo made for one of sport Natalie has become the most iconic moments of a regular on the motivation the 2000 Sydney Olympics speaking circuit, an advowhen they beat the number cate for tackling childhood one-ranked Brazilian pair obesity; an author; and and won the gold medal. successful businesswomNatalie will not only take an. Natalie is also the offito the courts on the Escial Athlete Ambassador for planade for a volleyball match or two, but will also Queensland’s 2032 Olympic be involved in the Mas- Games bid. ters Games Gallop, social The Great Barrier Reef events and coaching clinics. Masters Games will be held “I am so excited to be heading to the Far North for the GBRMG and share in the competitive and social spirit of the masters games,” Natalie said. “I can’t wait to get sand between my toes again, on the Esplanade and try my hand at some of the other sports. I am just as pumped about a side trip to the reef and the rainforest too!” Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said it was fitting to have Natalie part of 2021 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games with Beach Volleyball one of the runaway
on 20-23 May 2021. For more information and to register, visit www.gbrmg. com.au. All entries before December 31 go into the draw for a spectacular early bird prize worth more than $2000, including accommodation, reef and rainforest experiences and much more. The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games are presented by Cairns Regional Council with support from Tourism and Events Queensland.
Olympic Legend Natalie Cook OAM
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