Olympics and Paralympics blog

Protest dismissed: UQ student collects second bronze medal after nervous wait

Sunday 8 August, 2024

UQ Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) student Rachael Watson has won her second bronze medal of the Paris Paralympics, after a protest in the S4 women's 50 metres freestyle final was dismissed on Sunday morning (AEST).

Watson touched the wall in fourth place in the final but was elevated to bronze after Brazilian rival Lidia Vieira da Cruz was disqualified for a false start, when she appeared to push off the wall moments before the starting signal.

The sprint veteran waited almost 24 hours to collect her medal as the presentation ceremony was held over pending the outcome of the protest by Brazil.

Watson, an S3 swimmer swimming up a class, was chasing her third consecutive gold medal in the women’s S4 50m freestyle leading into the final on Saturday morning (AEST).

She produced the fastest 50 metres freestyle performance of her career – a PB and Oceania record – and it took a world-record time by Leanne Smith from the United States (40.03) to beat her, with Germany's Tanja Scholz (40.75) taking home the silver. 

It was the 32-year-old’s second bronze in Paris after her third place in the S3 100 metres freestyle on Wednesday.

"I'm honestly really happy just to podium in that event," Watson said after the 50 metres final.

"It was really hard backing up. It's a really tough event, really fast competitors, tight turnarounds. Even though it's my pet event, I'm really happy."

Brazilian disqualification leaves Rachael Watson hoping for medal

Saturday 7 August, 2024

UQ Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) student Rachael Watson is facing a nervous wait to see if she will take home a second bronze medal from Paris Paralympics with the result of a protest in the S4 women's 50 metres freestyle final still pending.

The sprint veteran was elevated to bronze after a Brazilian rival's disqualification on Saturday (AEST) and is hoping to keep hold of the medal as the outcome of the protest is announced later today.

Watson touched the wall in fourth place, but was awarded the bronze as Brazil's Lidia Vieira da Cruz was disqualified after she appeared to push off the wall moments before the starting signal.

The presentation ceremony was held over, pending the outcome of a protest by Brazil.

Watson, an S3 swimmer swimming up a class, produced the fastest 50 metres freestyle performance of her career – a PB and Oceania record. If the protest is dismissed, it will be the 32-year-old’s second bronze in Paris after her third place in the S3 100 metres freestyle.

UQ student Rachael Watson wins bronze medal in S3 100m freestyle

Wednesday 4 September, 2024

UQ Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) student Rachael Watson won a bronze medal in the women’s S3 100 metres freestyle on Wednesday (AEST) – her first Paralympic medal at this distance. 

Watson, who has recently been reclassified from an S4 to an S3 due to her Guillain Barre Syndrome, added the event to her program, which also includes the women’s S3 50 metres freestyle. 

The triple Paralympian set an Oceania Record for the event earlier in the heats of S3 100 metres freestyle earlier on Tuesday. 

“It’s incredible being able to race a 100m and it’s a new event for me on the Paralympic program so it’s been a big challenge trying to train for it, but just being able to get to the Paralympic final and win a medal for my country is something I’m really proud of,” Watson said. 

“I’m really proud of bronze, this is a new event and just stepping up from the 50 metres and doing 2 laps instead of one is a big challenge when you’re a lower classified athlete.

"There’s just a lot more that goes into it. You really feel it in your arms, and you don’t have the kick to help you along the way, so being able to still get on the podium and not get fourth is pretty cool.” 

Steelers reach Paralympic podium after 8-year wait

Monday 2 September, 2024

The Australian Steelers have ended their 8-year wait for a Paralympic medal by winning bronze on Monday night (AEST). 

The Steelers – featuring UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club players Chris Bond, Beau Vernon and Josh Nicholson – overcome the disappointment of missing the gold medal match, defeating Tokyo Paralympic champions Great Britain 50-48 in the bronze-medal play-off. 

Australian captain Bond said he was proud of the way his team bounced back after their semi-final loss to Japan.

“It was so disheartening yesterday when we were battered out of the semi-final in the way we were, the fact that we had the game in our hands, and we lost,” Bond said. 

“But we told the team to just let that sink in, use that as fuel for motivation today, we always wanted to finish on top and get a win. Two-thirds of our team coming in had never received a Paralympic medal before, and now they’re Paralympic medallists. 

“It always feels better to finish the campaign on a win, and especially a close win, which all the games have been.” 

UQ Swimming Club member Jack Ireland wins second medal in debut Games

Monday 2 September, 2024

UQ Swimming Club member Jack Ireland has capped a memorable Paralympics debut, adding a silver to his medal tally on Monday morning (AEST).

Ireland, who claimed a bronze medal in the men’s S14 200 metres freestyle on Sunday, led the Australian team in the mixed S14 4x100 metres freestyle relay.

The underrated Aussies took it to gold-medallists Great Britain in a small field, picking up the silver medal in a time of 3:46.37.

UQ Cycle Club star claims bronze in team sprint

Sunday 1 September, 2024

UQ Cycle Club star Korey Boddington has added a bronze to his medal tally at the Paris Paralympics, helping Australia claim third in the C1–5 750 metres team sprint event on Sunday night (AEST).

Boddington (C4), Gordon Allan (C2) and Alistair Donohoe (C5) and clocked a time of 49.036, beating France (49.961) in the head-to-head battle for bronze. 

It’s the second medal of the Games for Boddington, who opened Australia's medal assault at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome with gold in the C4–5 1000 metres time trial. 

The trio was half a second faster than in their qualifying round, but Great Britain (47.738) was in a class of its own to claim gold ahead of Spain (49.564). 

Overtime heartbreak for steelers

Sunday 1 September, 2024

The Australian Steelers will play for a Paralympic bronze medal after a crushing overtime loss in their wheelchair rugby semi-final against Japan. 

The Steelers – featuring UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club players Chris Bond, Beau Vernon and Josh Nicholson – went down 52-51 at Arena Champs de Mars on Sunday (AEST), sending them to the bronze medal playoff for the second consecutive Paralympics. They finished fourth in Tokyo. 

“We don’t want to go home empty-handed,” six-time Paralympian Ryley Batt said.

“We want to take home something. It was meant to be gold, we wanted redemption after Tokyo. But unfortunately, now we will have to go for the bronze. 

“It’s happened. We can’t change it now. I wish we could turn back time but we can’t.” 

With scores locked at 47-all with 15 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, the Steelers called a strategic timeout to reset the shot clock and select the play that would win them the match. 

With a successful inbound pass, the game would have been in their control. 

But the pass from Australian captain Bond was stolen by Japan’s Ike Yukinobu, who managed the clock to send it to overtime. 

When Yukinobu won the tip-off for his team to resume play, Japan scored first and held their nerve by not committing a single overtime error to lock Australia out of the contest. 

“That’s sport. It can be cruel sometimes. It definitely hurts,” Batt said. 

“We were in control the whole game. It was an awesome game. Both teams played unreal. I’m really happy with our performance. Unfortunately, in the last two minutes, Bondy and I both made a big mistake, very uncharacteristic for us. 

“But I’m actually pretty proud of the team. That performance against, in my eyes, the favourites for this tournament. To lose by one point in overtime, to have a chance to win it with 15 second to go, I’m bloody proud of this team.” 

It was certainly not the way Bond wanted to remember his 250th international appearance. 

“We’re going to give ourselves some time right now to soak it in and to breathe and feel the pain because we’re going to use it for motivation,” Bond said.  

“We’ve got one game to play now and we’re not going to half-arse it. We’re going to come together. I’ve said we’ve got a very strong team and we want to come away and mean something for the last three years.” 

Japan will meet the winner of the semi-final between the US and Great Britain. The loser will face Australia in the bronze-medal match at 9.30pm on Monday (AEST).

This article was originally published by Paralympics Australia and is republished with permission. 

UQ rower helps Australia to fifth place in PR3 Mixed Coxed 4s final

Sunday 1 September, 2024

UQ student Tobiah Goffsassen has helped Australia finish fifth in the PR3 Mixed Coxed 4s, capping a memorable Games for the Paralympic debutant.

Australia (7:14.78) earned a spot in the Final A on Sunday night (AEST) after claiming first place in the Repechage on Saturday, but couldn't match the pace of medallists Great Britain (6:55.30), USA (6:58.59) and France (7:03.11).

UQ Swimming Club star Jack Ireland claims bronze medal in Paralympic debut

Sunday 1 September, 2024

UQ Swimming Club member Jack Ireland stormed home on night 3 of the swimming to take a bronze in the men’s S14 200 metres freestyle, securing the medal at his first Paralympics after missing the qualifying time for the Tokyo Games. 

Ireland, who won silver in the same event at the 2023 World Championships and 2022 Commonwealth Games, took out third with a personal best time of 1:53.77, 2.47 behind the gold-medallist William Ellard of Great Britain. 

It was a solid swim from Ireland, who stuck to his race plan to reap the rewards. 

“The plan was to just stay composed for the first 50 metres,” Ireland said.

“The second 50 was the go-to, so just building it up and then use my legs more leading into that third 50 metres and then just take off and give it everything in that last 50.”

When asked how he felt to secure his first medal at his first Paralympic Games, he said: “Yeah, really good actually, especially doing a PB [personal best] at this level as well so I couldn’t do any better. 

“I certainly felt the energy on that but just tried to stay composed throughout, from leading from the first half of the race and just accelerating a lot more and just building it up.” 

This article was originally published by Paralympics Australia and is republished with permission.

Australia exact revenge on Denmark to reach wheelchair rugby semi-finals

Saturday 31 August, 2024

Australia will face Japan in the semi-finals of the wheelchair rugby after defeating Denmark 53-49 in Paris on Saturday night (AEST).

The win knocked Denmark out of the Paralympics competition, exorcising the demons that have haunted the Aussies since the Tokyo Games when Denmark upset the Steelers and sent them home without a medal for the first time in 16 years. 

Australian captain Chris Bond, who also captains the UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club, acknowledged the scars left from Tokyo at full-time. 

“Not everyone in our team was part of that game back then, but definitely in the tunnel before we went out, I reminded everyone about Tokyo and how much that hurt those who were there,” Bond said. 

“We just didn’t want to give them any edge. You get a bad start against them, they get their heads up and think they can beat us but deep down we know they can’t. 

“But they are a bloody good team, we don’t write them off. I think until the third quarter, there were hardly any turnovers from both teams. It was just high quality rugby and we knew coming in to this tournament that that’s what it would take to win it.” 

Australia – featuring UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club players Bond, Beau Vernon and Josh Nicholson – take on Japan in the semi-final at 9.30pm on Sunday 1 September (AEST).

Australia qualifies for Final A in PR3 mixed coxed 4s

Saturday 31 August, 2024

Australia is still in the hunt for a medal in the PR3 mixed coxed 4s after qualifying for the Final A on Saturday night (AEST).

Australia – featuring UQ Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences (Honours) student and King's College Boat Club rower Tobiah Goffsassen – earned its spot in the Final A after claiming first place in the Repechage.

The Final A will take place at 8.10pm on Sunday 1 September (AEST).

Gold for University of Queensland Cycle Club star Korey Boddington

Saturday 31 August, 2024

University of Queensland Cycle Club star Korey Boddington has won gold in the men's C4-5 1,000-metre time trial on Friday night.

Boddington, who made his Paralympic debut in Paris, set a Paralympic record of 1:02.021 in the heats and converted that into a gold medal – finishing in front of Blaine Hunt from Great Britain (silver) and Alfonso Cabello Llamas from Spain (bronze).

It's been a meteoric rise in Para-cycling for Boddington, who was involved in a motocross accident when he was 15 that resulted in an acquired brain injury. The 28-year-old was selected for the Paralympics less than 12 months after winning his first National Track Championships in December 2023.

"If I worked as hard as I'm working now, I'd probably have been very good at school," a jubilant Boddington said.

"This is unbelievable. I want to tell kids out there to go for their dreams. To fight for them. You gotta shoot for the stars."

Australia's Para-cyclists shone on day 2 at the National Velodrome in Paris, with Boddington winning the first of 2 gold medals and a silver for the Aussies.

Emily Petricola claimed gold in the women's C4 3,000m individual pursuit 15 minutes after Boddington's gold-medal ride, defending the title she won in Tokyo 3 years earlier.

Jessica Gallagher capped off a great day for Australia in the final event of the day, winning a silver medal in the women's B 1,000m time trial.

Steelers still in the hunt for wheelchair rugby gold

Saturday 31 August, 2024

The Australian Steelers remain in the hunt for the wheelchair rugby gold medal after a stunning 55-53 victory against France on Saturday morning (AEST). 

The Steelers – featuring UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club players Chris Bond, Beau Vernon and Josh Nicholson – will next face Denmark in their final Pool B match 9.30pm on Saturday (AEST).

With Great Britain (+5) leading the way with 2 wins from 2 matches, France (0) also with one win and Denmark (-4) still winless, the winner between Australia (+1) and the Danes seems destined for a semi-final showdown against Japan – the top qualifier in Pool A.

Read the full story on the Paralympics Australia News wesbite.

UQ student to fight for spot in PR3 mixed coxed 4s final

Friday 30 August, 2024

Australia will battle it out in the Repechage for a place in the Final A of the PR3 mixed coxed 4s after finishing third in its heat on Friday night (AEST).

The Australians (7:02.74) – featuring UQ Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences (Honours) student and King's College Boat Club rower Tobiah Goffsassen – narrowly missed out on an automatic spot in the Final A after finishing just 0.61 seconds behind second-place getters France.

The PR3 mixed coxed 4s Repechage will be held at 7.50pm on Saturday (AEST).

UQ swimming superstars claim Australia's first Paralympic medals in Paris

Friday 30 August, 2024

UQ alum Brenden Hall and student Lakeisha Patterson have claimed Australia’s first 2 medals in the space of 10 minutes on the opening day of the Paris Paralympics.

Hall (Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences ’17) clinched bronze in the men’s S9 400m freestyle before Bachelor of Communication student Patterson collected silver in the women's S9 400m freestyle in the following race at a packed out La Defense Arena.

The bronze is the seventh Paralympic medal for Hall, who was desperate to bring home a medal after missing out in Tokyo.

“I was after a little bit of redemption, and I just wanted to come back with a medal this time,” said Hall, who is competing in his fifth Paralympics.

“I didn’t care what colour it was and so to be able to do it in front of people who mean the most to me, that’s what made me feel it the most.”

Patterson led her race until the final lap but was pipped by 0.36 of a second by Hungary’s Zsofia Konkoly.

Steelers face must-win showdown with France after loss to Great Britain

Thursday 29 August, 2024

A loss to reigning Paralympic champions Great Britain on Thursday means the Australian Steelers face a must-win battle against France on Saturday to keep their hopes of a wheelchair rugby medal alive.  

The Steelers – featuring UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club players Chris Bond, Beau Vernon and Josh Nicholson – were defeated 58-55 and have no second chances if they are to progress out of Pool B.  

Australian captain Bond, who also captains the UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club, is confident his team can bounce back. 

“We’ve done this before at major competitions where we have lost the first game and went on to win,” Bond said. 

“We just have to keep our heads up. I’m feeling really energised now because we have to win. The nerves are gone, we just have to go flat out and get the French now. 

Australia plays France at 3:30am Saturday (AEST).

Proud moment as UQ alum flies flag for Australia

Thursday 29 August, 2024

The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are officially underway, with 3-time gold medallist and UQ alum Brenden Hall leading Australia along the Champs Elysees as the flag-bearer in the opening ceremony on Thursday morning (AEST) – less than 12 hours before he was due to hit the pool in his first event.

Thirty-four of Australia’s 160 athletes marched in the 3-hour ceremony with tens of thousands of spectators cheering on more than 5100 athletes from almost 170 nations.

Hall (Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences ’17), who is swimming at his fifth Paralympics, will be diving into the pool for his first event of the Games at 5.30pm on Thursday (AEST) for the heats of the men's S9 400 metres freestyle.

Fellow multiple gold medallist and UQ Bachelor of Communication student Lakeisha Patterson will also be in action in the women's S9 400 metres freestyle on Thursday night.

UQ champions in the spotlight as all eyes turn to Paralympics

Monday 26 August, 2024

Welcome back to Contact magazine's home of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Following an extraordinary Olympics in Paris – where 4 UQ athletes returned with medals – all eyes are now focussed on the Paralympics which gets underway at 4am on Thursday 29 August (AEST).

Eight UQ Paralympians will be vying for gold in Paris, spearheaded by champion swimmer and 5-time Paralympian Brenden Hall OAM (Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences ’17) who will carry the flag for Australia at the opening ceremony.

Bachelor of Communication student Lakeisha Patterson OAM and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) student Rachael Watson will each pursue a third consecutive Paralympic gold medal in the pool, while UQ Swimming Club member and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jack Ireland is making his Paralympic debut.

Above the water, Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences (Honours) student and rower Tobiah Goffsassen is also competing in his first Paralympics after being selected in Australia's PR3 Mixed Coxed Four squad.

UQ will also be represented in Australia's wheelchair rugby team by UQ Wheelchair Rugby Club captain and 3-time Paralympian Chris Bond and UQ teammates Beau Vernon and Josh Nicholson.

On the sidelines is Associate Professor Emma Beckman, who will head to Paris with Paralympics Australia for on-the-ground sport intelligence data-gathering.

View the collection of stories below and keep checking the Contact website throughout the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as we bring you up-to-date coverage on the performances of our UQ heroes.

Silver has never tasted so sweet for UQ water polo stars

Sunday 11 August, 2024

An historic silver medal won by the women’s water polo team has re-established Australia as world leaders who will inspire and build the next generation of Olympic Amazons.

Liz Weekes, a Sydney 2000 Olympic water polo champion, also predicted that the next 2 Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles and 2032 in Brisbane would reap the rewards won by the Australian Stingers in Paris.

Weekes, now an Australian Olympic Committee executive member, was poolside all week as the Stingers maintained their unbeaten rush to the final, where they were stopped by the fearless Spanish favourites in a hard-fought gold-medal match (11-9) .

“The girls put it all out there, I am so proud of them,” said Weekes, who was instrumental in winning the fight to have women’s water polo included for the first time at the Sydney Games, where Australia won an inaugural gold medal.

“They were so close to the Spanish – the top teams in the world are all so close, there’s just a few goals between them.

“Our girls have been phenomenal all week, and improved with every game. [Coach] Bec Rippon has created such an incredible team culture. Those girls are brave and they really had a crack.”

Weekes, who was the Sydney 2000 goalkeeper, had special praise for Australia’s current keeper and UQ alum Gabi Palm (Bachelor of Behvioural Science '22), who made 69 saves during her Paris Olympic campaign. 

“She is a calm brick wall. She has been incredible all week and has kept Australia in it," Weekes said.

Weekes also commended top scorer Alice Williams and fellow gun Abby Andrews – a UQ Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours) student – who scored 12 goals en route to the final, as well as the tenacity of the whole team who she said have created a powerful decade-long legacy in Paris.

UQ alum dives into Olympic history with silver medal

Saturday 10 August, 2024

The potential was always there, but UQ alum Maddison Keeney had to overcome both mental demons and physical challenges to step onto the Olympic podium in Paris on Saturday.

Keeney (Bachelor of Science '17) won the silver medal in the women’s 3-metre springboard in a performance of consistency and confidence, pulling off the most difficult dive in the competition to seal her first individual Olympic medal.

She is also the first Australian in history to win an individual Olympic medal in a springboard diving event.

The 28-year-old bounced back from the disappointment of an error on the last dive of the 3-metre synchro event, when she and partner Annabelle Smith were in medal position earlier in the Games, to produce a rock-solid performance through 3 rounds of the individual competition.

She was in second place after the preliminaries, semi-final and final, out-performed only by China’s 2-time world champion Chen Yiwen.

Chen led throughout the competition, her consistent excellence unmatched by the rest of the field as she accumulated a score of 376.00 across her 5 dives in the final.

Keeney had started slowly in the previous rounds before surging through the ranks, but in the final she produced a solid first dive – a reverse 2.5 somersaults with pike – which put her immediately into a medal position, which she never relinquished.

She had a “little blip” on her third dive, an inward 2.5 somersaults with pike, where she made a slight error on landing, but she finished strongly, scoring well with her 2 most difficult dives, a forward 3.5 somersaults with pike, and the most difficult dive in the competition, a forward 2.5 somersaults with 2 twists, which no one else even attempted.

That confirmed her placing, as she split the usually dominant Chinese duo and relegated the current world champion Chang Yani (318.75) to the bronze medal.

UQ Stingers shoot for gold after numbing USA

Friday 9 August, 2024

UQ's Gabi Palm and Abby Andrews have helped make history, playing pivotal roles in defeating the 3-time Olympic champions USA in a penalty shootout in the women’s water polo semi-final.

Australia was down 0-2 before the tide turned and the Stingers began dominating possession by playing entertaining, exciting, relentless water polo in front of a boisterous 15,000-strong crowd.

UQ Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours) student Abby Andrews, who had scored 9 goals heading into the semi-final, played with great pace and aggression. 

The 23-year-old proved a lethal weapon for Australia, drilling 4 consecutive goals in the third quarter to level the score 6-6.

With the scores locked 8-8 at full time and again at 13-13 after the 5-shots-each extra time, it was goalkeeper Palm (Bachelor of Behavioural Science '22) who made the save to stop the US assault in sudden death and record an historic 14-13 victory.

Australia will shoot for a gold medal in the final against Spain at 11.35pm on Saturday (AEST).

UQ alum dives into medal contention in women's 3m springboard

Thursday 8 August, 2024

UQ alum Maddison Keeney has put herself into medal contention after a stellar performance in the women's 3-metre springboard semi-finals on Thursday night (AEST).

Keeney (Bachelor of Science '17), nailed her final 3 dives to finish with 334.70 points in the semi-final and claim second spot, behind China's Chen Yiwen (360.85).

The 28-year-old will head into the final full of confidence, despite missing a medal in the synchronised 3-metre event with partner Anabelle Smith on day one of the Games.

"I know my potential is there," Keeney told reporters after the sem-final.

"It's all about how you perform on the day and how everyone else performs on the day. I just focus on myself.

The women's 3-metre springboard final will start at 11pm Friday (AEST).

UQ alum qualifies for semi-finals of 3m springboard

Wednesday 7 August, 2024

UQ alum Maddison Keeney is through to the semi-finals of the women's individual 3-metre springboard after finishing second in a tough heat on Wednesday night (AEST).

Keeney (Bachelor of Science '17) narrowly missed out on a medal in the synchronised event after partner Anabelle Smith made a misstep in the pair's final dive of the event.

The semi-finals will begin at 6pm on Thursday (AEST).

UQ goalkeeper stands tall as Australia progress to water polo semi-finals

Wednesday 7 August, 2024

Another outstanding performance from UQ alum and Australian goalkeeper Gabi Palm has put the Stingers one win away from an Olympic medal in the women's water polo.

Palm (Bachelor of Behavioural Science '22) produced several stunning blocks, finishing with a save rate of 68 per cent for the match, as Australia defeated Greece 9-6 in the quarter-final in front of a packed crowd at the La Defense Arena on Wednesday morning (AEST).

Aussie sharpshooter Alice Williams starred alongside Palm, scoring 5 goals for the match, while UQ Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours) student Abby Andrews scored twice in the second period to set up a 4-3 lead at half-time.

The win has helped ease the heartache of the Stingers’ “devastating” Tokyo campaign, when they lost 9-8 to Russia in the quarter-finals.

Australia will take on reigning world champions the United States their semi-final at 3.35am on Friday (AEST), with a win in that match ensuring a silver medal.

Heartbreak for Hockeyroos as quarter-final curse strikes again

Monday 5 August, 2024

The quarter-final curse has struck again as the Hockeyroos were bundled out of the group-of-8 matches for the sixth Olympics in a row on Monday night (AEST).

Australian players were left in tears on the pitch after going down to China 3-2, with a controversial review decision going against the green and gold – a second shattering blow for Australian hockey in as many days after the Kookaburras' loss to Netherlands in the men's quarter-finals on Sunday.

The presence of Australian legends Alyson Annan and Ric Charlesworth on the Chinese bench rubbed salt into wounds for Australia, with Annan coaching China and Charlesworth recruited as her assistant.

Striker Alice Arnott continued her goal-scoring form, scoring the opening goal of the match by flicking a rebound from a penalty-corner save into the net after 10 minutes.

But China seized control immediately, scoring back-to-back goals to lead 2-1 at the main break.

With the game still in the balance, China extended their lead in the third quarter when a controversial video review decision awarded China a goal despite the ball seemingly touching the leg of a Chinese player before being drilled into the net.

UQ Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) student Tatum Stewart scored a timely goal to help Australia claw its way back into the contest seconds before 3-quarter time.

But, despite 4 straight penalty corners in the final quarter, the Hockeyroos failed to land the a match-levelling goal, with China withstanding the late onslaught to book a spot in the semi-finals.

UQ alum stars as Australia remains undefeated in women's water polo

Sunday 4 August, 2024

Australia survived a tense penalty shootout against Hungary on Sunday night, thanks to a remarkable performance by UQ alum and Australian goalkeeper Gabi Palm.

The 14-12 win means the Stingers finished on top of their group and advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Greece at 3am on Wednesday (AEST).

A superb 4-goal haul by Alice Williams – with 3 in the final quarter alone – as well a goal to UQ student Abby Andrews, helped set up Sunday’s victory after the 2 teams were locked at 9-9 after regular time.

But the result could have gone very differently if not for Palm (Bachelor of Behavioural Science '22), with the keeper making 13 blocks for the match and finishing with a save percentage of 59 per cent.

Despite Williams’ final-quarter heroics, Hungary drew level with a minute left on the clock and forced the game to a shootout, where the Aussies made no mistake from the line.

UQ alum misses out on men's long jump final

Sunday 4 August, 2024

UQ alum Liam Adcock recorded a jump of 7.56 metres in the qualification round of the men's long jump on Sunday night (AEST) but it wasn't enough to reach the final.

Competitors needed to jump a distance to 8.15 metres to automatically qualify for the final, or at least be among the 12 best performers.

The Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Economics ('19) graduate finished 27th overall in his Olympic debut.

UQ student sets personal best time in 3000m steeplechase heats

Sunday 4 August, 2024

UQ Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) student Cara Feain-Ryan has finished 11th in heat 2 of the women's 3000 metres steeplechase on Sunday night (AEST), setting a new personal best time of 9:28.72.

But it wasn't enough to progress through to the final, with the first 5 finishes in each of the 3 heats progressing for a shot at a medal on Wednesday.

This is Feain-Ryan's first Olympic Games after a stellar 2 years on the track. She was unbeatable in Australia in 2023 and finished third at the nationals and second at the Oceania Championships in 2024.

Hockeyroos set for quarter-final against China

Saturday 3 August, 2024

The Hockeyroos are preparing for a quarter-final showdown against China on Monday night (AEST) after topping Pool B with a 3-1 win over Spain on Saturday.

Spain were down 2-1 with 2 minutes remaining and gambled in search of a late equaliser by replacing their goalkeeper with a field player.

The gamble backfired as Hockeyroos captain Kaitlin Nobbs scored Australia's third goal in the dying moments. The 3-1 victory that meant the Hockeyroos jumped Argentina on goal difference to top the pool.

Australia – featuring 3 UQ Hockey Club stars Claire Colwill, Rebecca Greiner and Tatum Stewart – will enter the knockout phase full of confidence after going through their pool matches undefeated.

Finishing top of their pool was important for the Australia as it means they will avoid favourites the Netherlands until the gold-medal match, should both teams make it that far.

Australia cruise into top spot in women's water polo after big win over Canada

Friday 2 August, 2024

A goal to UQ student Abby Andrews and a strong performance by UQ alum and Australian goalkeeper Gabi Palm has helped the Stingers continue their perfect start in Paris, with a 10-7 win over Canada on Friday night (AEST).

It was Australia's third straight group-stage win and wrapped up a spot in the knockout rounds with one group game still to play.

Bronte Halligan – daughter of rugby league goal-kicking sharpshooter Daryl – starred for Australia with 3 goals, while solid defensive efforts kept Canada at bay throughout most of the match.

The Stingers can cement their place at the top of the group with a win over Hungary on Sunday night (AEST).

Hockeyroos secure 3-3 draw with Argentina in dying seconds

Friday 2 August, 2024

The Hockeyroos have pulled off a remarkable comeback to draw 3-3 with Argentina on Friday morning (AEST).

Argentina dominated the opening minutes, scoring 2 goals in quick succession before Kaitlin Nobbs and Stephanie Kershaw hit back for Australia in the third quarter.

The game looked wrapped up for Argentina with a third goal in the 50th minute, before Australia were awarded a penalty corner with under 7 seconds remaining. Mariah Williams’ drag flick ricocheted off a defender into the goal, securing the draw.

Argentina and Australia – featuring UQ Hockey Club stars Claire Colwill Rebecca Greiner and Tatum Stewart – had booked their quarter-final berth before the start of this match.

The Hockeyroos will face Spain in their final Pool B match at 8.45pm on Saturday 3 August (AEST).

Neill bows out 200m individual medley in semi-finals

Friday 2 August, 2024

UQ Sportsman of the Year (2022 and 2024) and Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) student Tom Neill has bowed out in the semi-finals of the 200 metres individual medley.

He also reached the semi-finals of the 200 metres freestyle, but his highlight was anchoring the Australian men’s 4x200 metres freestyle relay to a bronze medal.

Already a dual Olympian, 22-year-old Neill said the atmosphere in the Paris pool had been “unreal’’ and he hoped to return for a third Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

UQ student Lizzy Dekkers falls short of medal in 200m butterfly final

Friday 2 August, 2024

At the Olympic Games, 4 is the loneliest number. Missing the medals by one place is one of the toughest experiences of the Games, but 20-year-old Lizzy Dekkers handled that situation with substantial grace in the 200 metres butterfly final on Friday morning (AEST).

The UQ Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) student Dekkers had high hopes of a medal in Paris after winning the silver at last year’s world championships behind the Canadian star Summer McIntosh.

But the hot early pace in last night’s race took some of the sting out of her renowned final-lap surge.

China's Zhang Yufei set the pace over the last 100 metres, but McIntosh lurked dangerously at her shoulder and took control in the third lap, coming home in a personal best time of 2:03.03. American Regan Smith claimed her second silver medal of the Games (2:03.84) ahead of the tiring Zhang (2:05.09).

Dekkers, however, did not have enough energy left to take advantage and she stopped the clock in equal fourth (2:07.11).

UQ student Lizzy Dekkers into 200m butterfly final

Thursday 1 August, 2024

UQ student Lizzy Dekkers has put herself into contention for her first Olympic medal after qualifying for the women's 200 metres butterfly final on Thursday morning (AEST).

The Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) student qualified fourth fastest for the final after touching the wall in third position in her semi-final in 2:06.17 – 1.3 second behind fastest qualifier and gold-medal favourite Summer McIntosh of Canada.

The women's 200 metre butterfly final will be held at 4:30am Friday 2 August.

Australia stings Netherlands in dramatic penalty shootout

Wednesday 31 July, 2024

Australia has triumphed in a penalty-shootout win against the Netherlands, with UQ student Abby Andrews and alum Gabi Palm playing key roles in the dramatic 15-14 victory.

Andrews scored a goal, while starting goalkeeper Palm made a number of important saves, but the scores remained locked at 7-7 after regulation time.

Both nations netted 4 penalties each before Aussie coach Bec Rippon made a gamble to replace Palm (Bachelor of Behavioural Science '22) with Genevieve Longman in the goals mid-shootout.

The gamble paid off with Longman producing a masterful, match-winning save.

The Australians have now banked consecutive wins after a 7-5 victory over China in their Olympic opener.

The play their next match against Canada at 10pm on Friday 2 August (AEST).

UQ student sidelined with knee injury as Hockeyroos book quarter-finals berth

Wednesday 31 July, 2024

The Hockeyroos have booked an early sport in the Olympics quarter-finals with a dominant 3-0 victory over the United States on Wednesday night (AEST).

The win followed a dominant 4-0 defeat of Great Britain and a 2-1 win against South Africa and booked a spot in the final 8 with 2 pool games still to play.

UQ's set-shot specialist Tatum Stewart – who scored a goal in both the Australia's wins over Great Britain and South Africa – missed the match with a knee injury. The Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) student hopes to be back on the pitch with her UQ Hockey Club teammates Claire Colwill and Rebecca Greiner in time for the quarter-finals.

Renee Taylor opened Australia's account against the United States after just 3 minutes.

Striker Alice Arnott, who missed Australia's opening match with injury, then slapped a shot into the roof of the net for a 2-0 lead before Maddison Brooks finished the job with a clean strike in traffic to beat the goalkeeper.

Australia is chasing its first Olympic medal since the team claimed a third gold in Sydney in 2000.

They play their next pool match against Argentina at 4.15am on Friday (AEST).

UQ alumni finish eighth in women's quadruple sculls finals

Wednesday July 31, 2024

The Australian women's quadruple sculls team have ended its Paris Olympics campaign in eighth place.

The Australians – featuring UQ alumni Caitlin Cronin and Ria Thompson – finished second in B Final (eighth overall) on Wednesday night (AEST), in a time of 6:30.85.

Cronin and Thompson were both members of Australia's bronze medal-winning quadruple sculls team at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

UQ student Thomas Neill wins bronze in men's 4x200m freestyle relay

Wednesday July 31, 2024

UQ student Thomas Neill has won his second Olympic bronze medal after Australia powered home to finish third in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay final in Paris.

The Aussies started from lane 6 and were represented by Maximilian Giuliani, Flynn Southam, Elijah Winnington, and Neill, who anchored the team.

Giuliani touched the wall in fourth position at the end of the first leg, before Southam surged on the second leg to get the team into the lead briefly, but he also touched the wall in fourth.

Winnington helped the Aussies into third position on the third leg, before Neill looked like nabbing an unlikely silver medal, but ultimately finished third behind Great Britain (gold) and America (silver).

Great Britain became the first relay swim team in history to defend an Olympic gold with the same identical line-up.

It is Neill's second Olympic bronze medal in the same event, with the Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) student part of the Australian team to win bronze at Tokyo Games in 2021.

He was awarded the UQ Sportsman of the Year Award in 2022 and 2024.

Olympics heartbreak for UQ student as Australia miss out on rugby sevens medal

Wednesday July 31, 2024

Sevens rugby can be a cruel master as the Australian women discovered when a last-moment 80-metre runaway try allowed the USA to snatch the Olympic bronze medal.

It was a heartbreaking and emotional finish for the Australians at the Stade de Paris as they watched a conversion after full-time give the Americans a 14-12 win and a position on the medal dais.

After 3 straight wins they had similar disappointment in a 21-12 semifinal loss to Canada despite leading 12-0 just before half-time.

The Olympic sevens women’s team ran rich with UQ blood. Isabella (Bella) Nasser, 22, is a Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences student. Assistant coach Emilee Barton has a 2016 degree in Health, Sport and Physical Education. Plus they had UQ Rugby Club players Kaitlin Shave and Sidney Taylor. 

Nasser had a sterling game. She stood strong in the tackles and was hard-working and probing in defence, quelling surge after surge.

UQ student anchors Australia to men's 4x200m freestyle relay final

Tuesday 30 July, 2024

Australia has qualified for the men's 4x200 metres freestyle relay final after finishing second in heat 2 on Tuesday night (AEST).

UQ Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) student Thomas Neill anchored the relay for the Australians, reeling in a 3-metre lead by Great Britain to finish just 0.52 seconds behind the heat winners.

Australia recorded the fourth fasted overall time out of the 2 heats and will vie for a medal in the final at 6.15am on Wednesday morning (AEST).

UQ student scores try a Australia cruise into women's rugby sevens semi-finals

Tuesday 30 July, 2024

Australia has cruised into the women's rugby sevens semi-finals, with UQ Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences student Bella Nasser scoring a try in a 40-7 demolition of Ireland on Tuesday morning (AEST).

Two-time Olympian Maddison Levi continued her incredible tournament with a hat-trick of tries in the first 5 minutes to set an Olympic record for most tries in a single event, as the Aussies set up a 26-0 lead at half-time.

Nasser extended the lead to start the second half to put the game beyond doubt.

The 2 teams met earlier in the day in the final Pool B match, with Australia holding on to secure a 19-14 win with a player in the sin bin in the final minutes.

It gives Australia a chance at redemption after a disappointing quarter-final exit against Fiji in Tokyo, and they will face Canada in the semi-finals in the early hours of Wednesday morning (AEST) after Canada upset hosts France 19-14.

UQ Hockey Club stars hit the scoreboard as Hockeyroos crush Great Britain

Tuesday 30 July, 2024

UQ alum Rebecca Greiner and UQ student Tatum Stewart have each scored goals as the Hockeyroos crushed Great Britain 4-0 on Tuesday morning (AEST) to remain undefeated at the Paris Olympics.

Australia were dominant in the second quarter, scoring twice in less than 2 minutes before adding 2 more goals in the last quarter.

Greiner (Bachelor of Behavioural Science '22) scored 3 minutes into the second term with a reflex back-hander from a penalty corner.

Alice Arnott doubled the lead 90 seconds later after a long aerial ball from Penny Squibb into the attacking circle was blocked by the British goalkeeper. Arnott seized the rebound and blasted the ball into the goal.

A penalty in the final quarter saw set-shot specialist Stewart (Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) student) step to the spot to score in the right side of the goal, before Greiner set up Grace Stewart with a neat pass for the veteran to sneak a shot under the leg of the goalkeeper to seal the match.

Australia faces the US in their next pool match at 9:15am (AEST) on Wednesday July 31.

UQ rowers miss shot at medal in women's quadruple sculls

Monday 29 July, 2024

UQ alumni Caitlin Cronin and Ria Thompson have narrowly missed out on a chance of a medal after the Australians finished third in the Repechage of the women's quadruple sculls on Monday night (AEST).

Australia finished behind Switzerland and China, with only the first 2 teams qualifying for the Final A.

Australia will row in the Final B on Wednesday 31 July to race for places 7–12.

UQ's Kaitlin Shave suffers knee injury as Australia makes dominant start in women's rugby sevens

Monday July 29, 2024

University of Queensland Rugby Club flyer Kaitlin Shave will undergo an assessment to decide whether she plays again in Paris after suffering a knee injury during Australia's opening women's rugby sevens match against South Africa on Monday morning (AEST).

Shave suffered the injury moments before being sin-binned for a high tackle in the dying moments of the match, with the injury the only negative in an otherwise flawless 34-5 win for Australia, who are regarded as one of the favourites to win a gold medal.

The former high school sprint champion was ruled out of Australia’s 36-5 thrashing of Great Britain later on Monday morning, which was highlighted by the try-scoring brilliance of Maddison Levi, who scored 7 tries across the 2 opening pool games.

Australia will face Ireland at 10:30pm on Monday night (AEST) to decide who wins the group.

UQ student the hero as Hockeyroos open Olympics campaign with 2-1 win over South Africa

Sunday July 28, 2024

UQ Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours) student Tatum Stewart has scored a goal in her Olympic debut as the Hockeyroos defeated South Africa 2-1 in their opening match of the Paris Olympics.

The set-piece specialist stepped up when it counted deep into the third quarter, edging Australia to 2-1 lead from a penalty corner strike that deflected off a South African defender's stick and into the roof of the goal.

Australia trailed 1-0 at quarter time before 3-time Olympian Grace Stewart levelled the scores in the 16th minute.

The Hockeyroos take on Great Britain in their next match at 1am (AEST) on Tuesday July 30.

Repechage challenge for University of Queensland Boat Club's Lily Alton

Sunday July 28, 2024

University of Queensland Boat Club rower Lily Alton will battle it out with her Australian teammates in the Repechage of the women's fours after finishing fourth in heat 2 on Sunday.

The Repechage will be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday July 30.

UQ student Thomas Neill qualifies for 200 metres freestyle semi-finals

Sunday July 28, 2024

UQ Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) student Thomas Neill has qualified for the men's 200 metres freestyle semi-finals.

Neill was the ninth fastest qualifier in Sunday's heats with a time 1:46.27. The men's 200 metres freestyle semi-finals will be held at 4:46am (AEST) on Monday July 29.

UQ student stars with 3 goals as Stingers withstand China comeback in women's water polo

Sunday July 28, 2024

UQ Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours) student Abby Andrews has starred for Australia in the women's water polo, scoring 3 goals in the first to help the Stingers defeat China 7-5 in their opening match of the Paris Olympics.

Five members of the Australian team were reported to have tested positive to Covid in the lead-up to the opening game, but dug deep to win the match despite China levelling the scores at 5-5 with just over 4 minutes remaining.

The Stingers will face 2008 Olympic champions the Netherlands in the their next game on Wednesday.

Australia misses out on bronze medal in men's rugby sevens

Sunday July 28, 2024

Australia has fallen short of its first men’s rugby sevens Olympic medal, going down fighting to South Africa 26-19 in the bronze medal play-off match.

Despite captain and University of Queensland Rugby Club player Nick Malouf being sent off early in the second half, Australia staged a rousing comeback from 19-7 down to level the scores late in the match.

But Selvyn Davids sealed the deal for South Africa, scoring a final try after the full-time siren to end Australia’s dream of a first medal.

Australia were beaten convincingly earlier in the semi-final by two-time Olympic champions Fiji, who lost to host-nation France 28-7 in the gold-medal decider.

UQ alum Maddison Keeney misses out on medal in 3-metre synchronised diving after heartbreaking slip

Saturday 27 July, 2024

UQ alum and diving star Maddison Keeney has narrowly missed out on securing Australia's first medal at the Paris Olympics after a heartbreaking final dive in the women’s 3-metre synchronised diving event on Saturday.

Keeney (Bachelor of Science ’17) and her synchro partner Anabelle Smith looked certain to earn a medal but only scored 48.60 points on their fifth and final dive, with Smith slipping slightly off the edge of the board and costing the pair any chance of a big score.

Chinese duo Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen won gold with 337.68 points, ahead of American pair Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook (314.64).

Keeney and Smith finished fifth with 292.20 points.

Keeney will begin her women's 3-metre individual springboard campaign on Wednesday August 7.

Australia qualifies for men’s rugby sevens semi-finals

Friday 26 July, 2024

Australia has qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s rugby sevens after defeating the USA 18-0 on Friday morning.

The Australians, captained by University of Queensland Rugby Club star Nick Malouf, kept the Americans scoreless in a clinical performance after defeating Samoa, Kenya and Argentina in the group stage.

Australia, who have never reached the semi-finals of an Olympics, will take on reigning Olympic champions Fiji in the semi-final at 12am (AEST) on Sunday 28 July.

Cheer on UQ's Olympic and Paralympic heroes

Wednesday 24 July, 2024

Welcome to Contact magazine's home of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the opening ceremony in Paris just around the corner, Contact takes you behind-the-scenes as we celebrate one of the largest contingents of UQ athletes and staff ever selected for the Games.

Among those athletes is UQ alum and diving sensation Maddison Keeney, who carries the weight of opening Australia’s medal tally on the first morning of the Games on her impressive shoulders. Also in the pool, UQ student Elizabeth Dekkers is a leading medal contender in the 200 metres butterfly, four years after the heartbreak of missing the Tokyo Olympic team.

We also caught up with 3 UQ Hockey Club stars – Tatum Stewart, Claire Colwill and Rebecca Greiner – who will live out their dream of representing the Hockeyroos at the same Olympics.

The Paralympics squad is spearheaded by Australia’s flagbearer Brenden Hall OAM, who is chasing a 4th gold medal in the pool, while Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jack Ireland is poised to make his mark in the S14 200 metres freestyle.

On the sidelines is Associate Professor Emma Beckman, who will head to Paris with Paralympics Australia for on-the-ground sport intelligence data-gathering, and UQ alum and sports media pioneer Louise Evans OAM, who is ready to cover her 7th Olympics as a reporter.

View the collection of stories below and keep checking the Contact website throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games as we bring you up-to-date coverage on the performances of our UQ heroes.