NEARLY ONE IN 10 AUSSIES IN TOKYO FROM GRIFFITH
determination The these athletes to to push themselves the limits of human endeavour holds them in great stead after for their careers sport representative Sports college manager Naomi McCarthy
A WEIGHTLIFTER, artistic swimmers and a sailor are among the 45 students, alumni, swim squad athletes and coaches from Griffith University who have headed to the Tokyo Olympics.
Nine per cent of the athletes named in the Australian Olympic team hail from Griffith.
This includes renowned swim coach Michael Bohl, who runs the university’s swim squad on the Gold Coast. Tokyo will be his fifth Olympic campaign.
Another notable name is education student Dani Stevens, who will compete in discus at her fourth Games appearance.
Meanwhile, biomedical science alumnus Bronwen Knox is the first Australian woman to make four Games in water polo.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said it was a thrill for so many athletes connected to the university to be at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Their inclusion represents years of training and we congratulate them on their willingness to keep striving for greatness despite a global pandemic and continued interruptions to their preparations,” Prof Evans said.
Sports college manager Naomi McCarthy said Griffith’s contribution to the Games this year was almost double the number of student athletes who competed in Rio in 2016.
“The determination of these athletes to push themselves to the limits of human endeavour holds them in great stead for their careers after representative sport,” she said.
“They’re studying everything from business to education, exercise science, nursing, marketing and communication – but wherever they place their focus I know they’ll perform at a very high level.”