Released 16/07/2021
With a week to go to the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games, athletes are in the final stages of what has been a very long preparation period.
Due to COVID-19, the Tokyo Games were delayed by one year. The Olympics will run from 23 July – 8 August and the Paralympics will take place 24 August – 5 September.
With the support of coaches, support staff, sports, family and friends the athletes have remained focussed and dedicated over the past 24 months with the hope of wearing the green and gold at the Tokyo Games. We commend all athletes on their commitment and drive over this period.
The Australian Olympic Committee announced the second largest Team ever of 488 athletes to compete at these Games, with 261 women and 227 men to compete across 33 sports.
Congratulations to the 15 ACT athletes who have been selected as a part of the Australian Olympic Team, with announcements for the Paralympics to come later this month.
Six of those selected are current ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) supported athletes with many others having graduated from ACTAS. Athletes will be representing Australia across a range of sports including athletics, basketball, rowing, cycling, hockey, softball, swimming.
For two of the ACT athletes this will be their fourth Games, Patty Mills (Basketball) and Daniel McConnell (Mountain Bike), seven athletes will be making their Olympic debut. Creating history as the first Indigenous Australian to carry the flag, Patty will join with swimmer Cate Campbell as dual Australian flag bearers in the opening ceremony on the 23 July.
Competition will commence two days ahead of the Opening Ceremony with Softball returning to the Olympic Program after being omitted for eight years. The Australian Women’s Softball Team will be the first Aussies to compete when they play Japan at 9.00am (AEST) at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium on the 21 July. Canberra’s Clare Warwick will be a part of the Aussie Team.
We would like to wish all the athletes and staff best of luck at the Tokyo Olympic Games. We look forward to cheering them on.
Athletes include:
- Kelsey- Lee Barber (Athletics)
- Nathan Hart (Track Cycling)
- Jye Edwards (Athletics)
- Daniel McConnell (Mountain Bike)
- Angeline Blackburn (Athletics)
- Rebecca McConnell (Mountain Bike)
- Marianna Tolo (Basketball)
- Andrew Charter (Hockey)
- Patty Mills (Basketball)
- Edwina Bone (Hockey)
- Lydia Williams (Football)
- Clare Warwick (Softball)
- Luke Letcher (Rowing)
- Caleb Antill (Rowing)
- Jessica Hansen (Swimming)
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Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases