IPSWICH will be well represented at the upcoming Paris Olympics, and the area’s next wave of talent is on track to represent at the Brisbane Games in 2032.
This week, Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee board director and Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding met with three promising young athletes to celebrate the countdown ticking over to eight years on Tuesday.
With the current Australian Olympic team including the names of Ipswich locals Mollie O’Callaghan, Ella Ramsay and Teremoana Teremoana, the spotlight is on aspiring young athletes across the region Ipswich who have their sights set on the premier international sporting event once it arrives in our state capital.
“Ipswich is a rich breeding ground for highly successful athletes,” Cr Harding said.
“Sports not only foster teamwork, discipline and perseverance, but also keeps them active and healthy.”
Jewels in the talent-rich nursery being nurtured throughout the region include nine-year-old Roy Martens, who is preparing to compete at the US Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst, North Carolina next month.
He has already played in national competitions and is excited to be heading to his first international competition.
“I have been playing golf since I could walk,” he said.
“It has been my dream my whole life to go to the Olympics, I always watch it.
“If I got to represent Australia at the Olympics, I would love it. Representing Australia in Brisbane would be one of the most memorable moments in my whole life.”
Ten-year-old Matilda Pates is gearing up to chase back-to-back medals at the State and National Taekwondo championships.
She is the 2023 State Champion for her age in taekwondo and medalled at both the 2022 and 2023 National Championships.
“It would be great to represent Australia because it can show you doing something at such a young age, working and working until you get where you want, it takes a lot of effort,” she said.
“I train five times a week for an hour and a half during the week, and two hours on the weekends.”
Allrounder 10-year-old Olivia Davis has represented Ipswich at regionals for Little Athletics, Met West for swimming and her goal is to be a cross-country runner.
“I am excited about the Olympics coming in eight years,” she said. “I want to compete in the cross-country, it’s always been a dream.”
