Moment has arrived for ACU’s Olympians and Paralympians

Australia’s first five-time diving Olympian, a Kiwi gymnast and the woman who taught actor Chris Hemsworth to row will be among 15 ACU students and alumni to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Diver Melissa Wu, who has been on every Australian Olympic team since Beijing in 2008, and soon-to-be four-time Olympian Anabelle Smith competed in empty venues when Tokyo hosted the COVID-19 affected Summer Games three years ago. These Olympic Games, to begin in Paris on 26 July, will be celebrated with renewed exuberance by those who experienced the restrictions of Tokyo and with wild excitement by debutants.

Among the first-timers in Paris will be Bachelor of Education student and Elite Athlete and Performer Program member Sienna Hearn. “It feels surreal. After the (team) announcement we had to jump straight into a Test series against China,” said Sienna who will play alongside ACU alum Elle Armit for the Aussie Stingers water polo team.  “But I’ve dreamt of this for so long and now that the series is over, the reality of it is starting to sink in.”

In congratulating the contingent, ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis said the university’s student athletes were beacons of excellence.

“Your commitment to greatness and belief in your dreams resonates with the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship,” he said.

“This is your moment and the ACU community hopes this opportunity will satisfy the aspirations you have worked so hard for.”

Brenden Hall was just 15 when he attended his first Paralympics in Beijing and has been chosen as one of Australia’s flag-bearers at his fifth games. The Bachelor of Physiotherapy student is aiming to add to his three gold, one silver and two bronze medals when the Paralympics open on 28 August.

An Olympic debut beckons for butterfly swimmer Alexandria Perkins.

“None of this would have been possible without the support the EAPP has provided me over the years,” the Bachelor of Physiotherapy student said. 

Bachelor of Biomedical Science student Georgia-Rose Brown previously represented Australia at two Commonwealth Games but will now compete for New Zealand in artistic gymnastics.

Bronwyn Cox (Bachelor of Education) and Rowena Meredith are both bound for their second Olympics as members of the Rowsellas. Bachelor of Paramedicine graduate Rowena won a bronze medal in Tokyo then faced an unusual challenge when asked to teach Hemsworth how to row for his role in a television documentary.

Alum Melissa Tapper (table tennis) has been selected for her third Olympics and is also set to represent Australia again as a Paralympian.

At the other end of the experience scale, alum Celine Vinot will make her Olympic debut in para badminton. Marcus Berehulak (Bachelor of Psychological Science) will be one of 10 debutants in the Sharks team to represent Australia in the men’s water polo.

On the track, ACU will be represented by 100m national champion Sebastian Sultana and race walker Declan Tingay.

Now a librarian, alum Shae Graham is off to her second Paralympics with the wheelchair rugby team.

All the representatives are members of ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program that supports students with their sport, performance and academic pursuits.

“We’re incredibly proud of all of ACU’s student athletes and alumni. It’s wonderful to see their hard work paying off and them reaching the pinnacle of their sport,” EAPP coordinator Clare Meulenbroek said.

“The support that these students receive from the whole ACU community is outstanding and the university’s reputation amongst elite athletes continues to grow, with more current students than ever before competing in Paris.”