Lasallian Athletes Shine at the 2024 Olympics

The Lasallian community has much to celebrate as the world turns its gaze to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games. A remarkable cohort of athletes who have passed through Lasallian institutions in the District are representing their countries on the global stage, embodying the values of faith, service and community that are the hallmarks of a Lasallian education.

The story of Lasallian excellence at the Olympics begins in the pool, Angus Lambie, an alumnus of St Aloysius Cronulla, will make waves in water polo. Angus's journey from taking up the sport at age 11 to representing Australia at world championships demonstrates the enduring impact of his Lasallian education. His resilience in overcoming a 2022 injury to secure his place in the Olympic team is truly inspiring.

The Olympic pool will showcase the talents of Alexandria Perkins, a current Australian Catholic University (ACU) student, as she takes to the water for Australia. Her debut in the green and gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games set the stage for her Olympic aspirations. Melissa Wu, an ACU student and veteran Olympian, joins her in the pool. Melissa's Olympic journey has taken her from bringing home a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics to her current pursuit of gold in Paris. Zac Reid, an alumnus of Francis Douglas Memorial College, will compete for New Zealand. Zac placed second in the Men’s 400m Freestyle at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics bringing home the silver medal.

Additionally, three young talents from ACU will be making their mark in the water polo arena. Marcus Berehulak and Sienna Hearn, both 21 years old, are set to make their Olympic debuts. They're joined by Elle Armit, an ACU alumna whose senior national team debut for the Aussie Stingers came in 2013. Elle's experience playing in Spanish and Italian leagues has enhanced her skills, contributing to her strong performance at the Tokyo Olympics and setting high expectations for Paris.

Diving back into the pool, we find triple Olympian and ACU alumna Annabelle Smith. Having discovered diving at the age of 11, Annabelle has been on a journey that has seen her win medals at the Commonwealth Games and claim an Olympic bronze in the 3m synchronised springboard at Rio 2016. Her persistence and dedication, cultivated during her time at ACU, have propelled her to her fourth Olympic appearance.

We now move to the hockey pitch, where Nathan Czinner, hailing from O'Connor Catholic College in Armidale, is poised to make his mark. Czinner's selection to train with the Kookaburras squad in Perth reflects the dedication and skill honed during his time at O'Connor. His journey from the astroturf fields of SportUNE to the Olympic stage is an inspiring tale of perseverance and talent, showcasing the strong foundation laid by his Lasallian education.

From the aquatic arena to the athletics track the Lasallian spirit continues to shine. ACU student Sebastian Sultana is blazing a trail in sprinting, embodying the explosive power and dedication that defines his sport. His rapid rise from setting the Australian under-18 100 metres record in July 2023 to winning the national title in April 2024 is remarkable. Sebastian's inclusion in the Australian 4x100m relay team for Paris is a testament to his raw talent.

Joining Sebastian on the athletics team is Declan Tingay, an ACU alumnus who has established himself as Australia's leading 20km race walker. His progression through the ranks, including a silver medal in the 10,000m walk at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, showcases the long-term impact of the values instilled during his time at ACU.

The rowing events will see two Lasallian athletes representing Australia. Bronwyn Cox, a current ACU student, has been a consistent performer in Australia's women's eight squad since her senior debut in 2018. Her recent successes, including gold medals at the World Rowing Cups and a bronze at the World Rowing Championships, have secured her spot in the Paris-bound team. Joining her is ACU alumna Rowena Meredith, whose Olympic journey began in Tokyo with a bronze medal in the women's quadruple sculls.

ACU alumna Georgia-Rose Brown will represent New Zealand in artistic gymnastics. Initially competing for Australia, including at the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games, Georgia-Rose's switch to represent New Zealand highlights the international nature of the Lasallian community and the adaptability instilled in its students.

Lalomilo Lalomilo, an alumnus of De La Salle College, Māngere, New Zealand, will represent Samoa in Men’s Rugby Sevens and Kitona Vai, also an alumnus of De La Salle Mangere East, will compete for New Zealand in Men’s Rugby Sevens.

The presence of these athletes at the Olympics is a testament to the holistic education provided by Lasallian schools and institutions. From De La Salle College in New Zealand to O'Connor Catholic College in Australia and ACU, the Lasallian approach to education has nurtured academic excellence and sporting prowess.

These Olympians embody the Lasallian principles of faith in their abilities, service to their teams and countries, and community in representing the wider Lasallian family. Their achievements inspire current Lasallian students, showing that dreams of Olympic glory can become a reality with dedication, hard work and proper support.

The global Lasallian community will cheer on these extraordinary athletes as the games unfold in Paris. Their presence on the world stage is not just a personal triumph but a celebration of the enduring legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the educational mission he began over three centuries ago. The 2024 Olympics will undoubtedly be a moment of pride for Lasallian Institutions worldwide as they see their current and former students compete at the highest level of sport. It's a powerful reminder that a Lasallian education prepares students for future success and excellence in all areas of life.