BANNISTER LEFT LASTING MARK
FAMILY and friends of Olympian Jarrod Bannister gathered to farewell the Townsville athlete on his home soil over the weekend.
Hundreds gathered at Ignatius Park College’s Edmund Rice Hall on Saturday to say goodbye to the much- loved “larrikin” and “good bloke”.
The 33- year- old died suddenly while overseas on February 7.
Green and gold balloons, shirts, scarves and ribbons brought colour to the solemn ceremony to pay homage to Bannister’s international athletics achievements.
Friends, coaches and teammates also wore club shirts or jerseys to commemorate Bannister’s other sporting connections.
Bannister’s Commonwealth Games gold medal in javelin, won at the 2010 Games in Delhi, was draped over his photograph during the ceremony.
He still holds the national javelin record set in Brisbane in 2008 with a throw of 89.02m.
One of Bannister’s cousins and a close friend delivered a heartfelt and emotional eulogy, reflecting on his sporting achievements, off- field antics and captivating personality.
“He’s the most successful javelin thrower Australia has ever produced,” cousin Fabian Bannister said.
The four- time national javelin champion competed in two Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games, famously becoming the first Australian to win gold in javelin in close to 50 years at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Local, state, national and international sportspeople were among the mourners.
Queensland Athletics CEO David Gynther said Bannister was a fantastic athlete and would be sadly missed.
“Athletics is a very hard sport, it’s very hard to get to one Olympic Games, it’s very hard to get to one World Championships, it’s almost impossible to win,” Mr Gynther said.
” It’s a lot of hard work, and Jarrod only achieved that because he worked very, very hard.
“But, the measure of a man is how much he touched everyone in athletics.
“He was extremely popular, and he was popular because he’s a good bloke.”
Catholic priest Father Dave Lancini led the commemoration of Bannister’s life.
“I believe that Jarrod was among the first of our young people to display the great talent we have in North Queensland, and especially here in Townsville,” Fr Lancini said.
“I also believe that a high number of young people, athletes, were inspired by Jarrod’s talents and giftedness.”
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