Nine University of Queensland students and community members are packing their bags after being selected to represent Australia at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
UQ students Elizabeth Dekkers and Thomas Neill were named in the 44-member Dolphins Olympic Swim Squad, announced by the Australian Olympic Committee after last weekend’s Australian Swimming Trials.
UQ alum and 3-time gold medallist Brenden Hall will spearhead a 30-strong team to represent Australia in the pool at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Swimmers Lakeisha Patterson OAM and Rachael Watson will each pursue a third consecutive Paralympic gold medal, while world record holder Jack Ireland has qualified for his first Paralympics.
Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Maddison Keeney has also gained selection in the Australian diving team, while Abby Andrews and Gabi Palm will compete in their second Olympics after being named in the Aussie Stingers women’s water polo team.
Professor Bruce Abernethy, Executive Director of UQ’s Office of 2032 Games Engagement said he was delighted to see such a strong UQ contingent in the Paris teams.
“Sport is not just an extracurricular activity at UQ – it’s an integral part of the student experience and excellence in promoting and understanding sport forms a key part of the University’s distinctive identity and standing nationally and internationally,” Professor Abernethy said.
“This is true regardless of whether the focus is upon research and innovation in sport, sport in the curriculum or sport as a vehicle for engagement with our community locally, nationally and globally.
“It’s fantastic to see so many UQ students and alum selected to participate in the Paris 2024 Games and I know the whole UQ community will be cheering for them in their Olympic and Paralympic journeys.”
Several other UQ athletes are awaiting selection outcomes in hockey, rowing and rugby 7s.
