Kim Pham
26 July 2016: A proud contingent of at least 16 University of Canberra students, graduates and staff will be representing Australia in the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The athletes and officials will participate in events ranging from judo to the hurdles during the 31st Olympic Games, commencing on 5 August. Most of the University's representatives will compete in different sports, but one will blow the whistle in football and another one will keep the Hockeyroos in top shape.
University of Canberra students and staff will be able to cheer on their peers in the Refectory where the Olympics and Paralympics will be shown on the big screen for the duration of the events.
University of Canberra athletes are no strangers to Olympic success. Our students and staff excelled at the London Paralympic Games and Olympic Games winning a total of 14 medals in 2012. This group is ready to go one better.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Frances Shannon congratulated the athletes on their selection in the Australian team and said she looked forward to following their journey on the big stage.
"We are extremely proud of their achievements and we will be supporting and cheering for them on campus," Professor Shannon said.
"The University of Canberra aspires to be the leading university for sports education and research and supporting our elite athletes is an important part of that."
As part of the Elite Athlete Friendly University network, the University supports student athletes by helping them manage their study alongside their training commitments and currently has more than 70 student elite athletes, one of the highest numbers in Australia.
Josh Katz, who is doing a double degree in Sports and Exercise Science and Sports Management, will be Australia's youngest ever male judoka to compete at an Olympic Games. The 18-year-old student is looking forward to his first ever Games and will be supported by his brother Nathan, also competing in judo.
"I'm very proud to be able to compete at the Olympics at such a young age, and I definitely feel like I have something to prove, maybe more so than some other people. I want to show that my place there is no accident," Katz said.
University of Canberra Capitals star recruit and alumna Marianna Tolo will play with the Australian women's basketball squad for the first time. The Opals are currently ranked second in the world and the 26-year-old believes they will be able to bring home the gold.
"The Opals have traditionally performed well at the Olympics, we've medalled the last five Olympics and so that will be a tradition we'll be looking to uphold," she said.
"The gold medal is achievable, we've just got to go out and do our best to get it."
Cyclist and Bachelor of Science student Gracie Elvin is looking forward to wearing the green and gold for her country after years of hard work.
"I've been given this amazing opportunity and I want to show that I deserve to be there, mostly to myself, but also to all the people who have believed in me along the way," she said.
"A lot of people have doubted me, but even more people have been in my corner and I want to give my best for them."
University of Canberra Rio Olympic athletes
Gracie Elvin – cycling (road race) – Bachelor of Science student
Josh Katz – judo - Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science/Bachelor of Sports Management student
Stephanie Talbot – basketball – Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
Marianna Tolo – basketball – Bachelor of Sports, Coaching and Exercise Science alumna
Lauren Wells – hurdler – Bachelor of Science in Psychology alumna
Kelsey-Lee Roberts – javelin – Bachelor of Sport Coaching and Exercise Science alumna
Rachel Tallent – athletics (walking) – Bachelor of Science in Psychology alumna
Regan Lamble – athletics (walking) – Bachelor of Graphic Design alumna
James Roberts – swimming – Bachelor of Communication in advertising alumnus
Edwina Bone – women's hockey – Bachelor of Sports Management alumna
Kathleen Rayment – Swimming Australia senior media and PR coordinator – Bachelor of Sports Media alumna
Erin Smyth – Hockeyroos' physiotherapist - Graduate Diploma of Extended Scope Physiotherapy alumna
Allyson Flynn – soccer assistant referee – physiotherapist and clinical educator at the University of Canberra
UC Paralympic athletes
Jesse Aungles – Swimming – Bachelor of Politics and International Relations/ Bachelor of Commerce degree student
Kathryn Ross – Rowing (mixed double sculls with Gavin Bellis) – Bachelor of Nursing student
Evan O'Hanlon – Athletics – Bachelor of Landscape Architecture student
Scott Reardon – Athletics – Bachelor of Education / Bachelor of Education, Design and Technology student
Read about some of UC Olympic Games and Paralympic Games representatives:
Gracie gears up for Olympic debut
Roberts returns for second Olympics