Eumundi Voice - Issue 100, 22 August 2024

Sunshine Coast’s proud Olympic legacy

The Sunshine Coast has a proud tradition of athletes representing Australia at the Olympics, dating back to 1956 when Bill Mackay of Sunshine Beach was selected for the water polo team. He was followed by boxers Randall Hope and Darryl Norwood who competed at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, paving the way for our most recent 21 Olympians from the Sunshine Coast who attended the Paris games this year. There were 140 Queenslanders on the team with many using our facilities on the Sunshine Coast for training.

We claim Redcliffe’s 'golden girl' Kaylee McKeown who trained at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC). Sister Taylor is also a former Olympic swimmer. Paris medallist swimmers Kyle Chalmers, Isaac Cooper and water polo goalkeeper Nic Porter, all attended St Andrew’s College.

Chancellor State College’s Peyton Craig ran a personal best in the 800m semifinal race. Coach Brendan Mallyon said, “Peyton went in with a mindset of no regrets.”

Former St Teresa’s student Nick Sloman has numerous medals for marathon swimming and tackled the murky Seine, finishing 11th after 10km. Zimbabwe-born Rugby 7s member Dominique Du Toit, now of Little Mountain retires after Paris, while Buderim’s Kristina Clonan included Paris in a heavy year of competitive cycling.

Sunshine Coasters participated in seven categories in Paris and raised memories of our past greats including Clint Robinson (kayak),

Lisa Campbell (badminton), Denise, Ray and Alanna Boyd (sprinters, pole vaulters), Lisa Curry (swimming), Grant Kenny (K2) and Benny Pike (boxing).

The Paralympics swimming legend Brendan Burkett was a flag bearer in Sydney 2000. He competed or was on staff at 9 Paralympics and was at the 2022 launch of the UniSC Para Sports Hub. Medal winning swimmer Marayke Jonkers inspired in Athens and Beijing.

With UniSC lecturer and former wheelchair basketball medallist Dr Bridie Kean as Deputy Chef de Mission for the 2024 Paralympic Games, we can expect excellent support for our paralympic locals.

Among them is Lakeisha Patterson aiming for her third gold medal in 400m freestyle with Benjamin Hance hoping to add to his amazing Tokyo collection of Gold, Silver and Bronze. Callum Simpson from Buderim joins them in the squad.

Olympic boxer Benny Pike recalls the early 1980s when the Sunshine Coast Olympic Cont. p25

Water polo goalie Nic Porter with swimmers Isaac Cooper and Kyle Chalmers

Seeking professional help can provide additional guidance tailored to your specific needs. For more information, visit: paulsbodyengineering. com. Paul Hooper and Commonwealth Games Committee became highly active fundraising for local athletes. All were amateurs then, with no sponsorship allowed. Committee member Bob Tisdall won Gold for 400m hurdles, representing Ireland at the 1932 “Chariots of Fire” Los Angeles Olympics.

Seeking professional help can provide additional guidance tailored to your specific needs. For more information, visit: paulsbodyengineering. com. Paul Hooper and Commonwealth Games Committee became highly active fundraising for local athletes. All were amateurs then, with no sponsorship allowed. Committee member Bob Tisdall won Gold for 400m hurdles, representing Ireland at the 1932 “Chariots of Fire” Los Angeles Olympics.

Seeking professional help can provide additional guidance tailored to your specific needs. For more information, visit: paulsbodyengineering. com. Paul Hooper and Commonwealth Games Committee became highly active fundraising for local athletes. All were amateurs then, with no sponsorship allowed. Committee member Bob Tisdall won Gold for 400m hurdles, representing Ireland at the 1932 “Chariots of Fire” Los Angeles Olympics.

Seeking professional help can provide additional guidance tailored to your specific needs. For more information, visit: paulsbodyengineering. com. Paul Hooper and Commonwealth Games Committee became highly active fundraising for local athletes. All were amateurs then, with no sponsorship allowed. Committee member Bob Tisdall won Gold for 400m hurdles, representing Ireland at the 1932 “Chariots of Fire” Los Angeles Olympics.

Everyone is invited to welcome home our Olympic and Paralympic athletes at the Maroochydore Surf Club, 16 September at 4pm, with awards for best Olympic performances.