Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has congratulated the Redlands Coast athletes who represented Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Cr Williams said she was proud of the athletes for not only their prowess on the sporting fields and venues of Tokyo, but also for the fairness and respect they displayed during competition.
“They gave us some thrilling moments and some real insights into the determination and dedication required to be such elite athletes,” Cr Williams said.
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“Not to mention that they’re bringing home medals to Redlands Coast!
“Australian para-swimming team members Paige Leonhardt from Thornlands and Jake Michel from Birkdale both won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
“Paige brilliantly bagged her silver medal in the 100m butterfly final and gave her all to finish sixth in the 100m breaststroke final. The 20-year-old also made the finals of the 200m individual medley, again finishing sixth.
“Jake, 23, scored a silver medal in his one and only event, the men’s 100m breaststroke. He was narrowly beaten by Japanese swimmer Naohide Yamaguchi who set a new world record.
“Earlier, former longtime Redlands Coast local Melissa Wu once again showed her amazing ability as a diver, bringing home a bronze medal in the women’s 10m platform final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“BMX freestyler Logan Martin – who has been a familiar face around Redland Bay where he has trained for many years – made history to become the first men’s BMX freestyle gold medalist. It was that event’s debut at the Olympics with nine riders from eight nations competing.”
Cr Williams said the excitement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will rocket to an even higher level when they come to South East Queensland in 2032.
“Years of planning and work by the local government areas of the South East secured the Games for 2032 and now the work begins to deliver a world-class selection of venues to accommodate them,” she said.
“Redlands Coast will be an event venue city for the Canoe Slalom competition at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. They will be held at a purpose-built Redland Whitewater Centre as part of the integrated Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct for which Birkdale Community Precinct on Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale, is the preferred site.
“After seeing how the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games managed to harness, present and celebrate the unifying spirit of sport during such difficult times globally, it is exciting to know that we will have them literally right in our back yards in 2032. And how great is it that we will also get to showcase our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast to the world.”
Redlands Coast athletes in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics included:
- Mara Stransky of Russell Island finished 14th in the Women’s Laser Radial class.
- Cassiel Rousseau of Ormiston showed promise in the men’s diving 10m platform, finishing 8th in the final.
- Former Redlands Coast resident Mellisa Wu scored a bronze medal in the women’s diving 10m platform final.
- Taylor Worth of Birkdale made it to round 16 in the men’s archery individual event.
- Alannah Mathews of Sheldon competed as part of the five-member rhythmic gymnastics group.
- Shannon Parry of Cleveland was part of the women’s rugby sevens squad who unfortunately were unable to replicate their gold medal win in Rio 2016, losing to Fiji in the quarter finals.
- Emily Gielnik of Alexandra Hills was part of the Matildas Olympic squad who made it to the semi-finals and narrowly missed bringing home a bronze medal.
- BMX rider Logan Martin from Maudsland and trains in Redland Bay took the gold medal in the men’s BMX freestyle.
Redlands Coast athletes in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics included:
- Swimmer Jake Michel of Birkdale scored silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke.
- Swimmer Paige Leonhardt of Thornlands scored silver in the women’s 100m butterfly; finished 6th in the women’s 100m breaststroke; and 6th in the women’s 200m individual medley.
Cr Williams said the athletes’ achievements were another reminder of the level of excellence being reached by sporting clubs right across Redlands Coast.
“Well done to all the coaches, supporters and of course the families who have helped these athletes do us proud,” Cr Williams said.
