Warwick athlete Harriet Hudson wins Olympic bronze medal in quad sculls final
The Warwick rowing prodigy and her Aussie teammates have clinched a podium finish on the world’s biggest sporting stage in a huge win for her community and country.
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UPDATE 12.15PM: Warwick rowing star Harriet Hudson is now an Olympic medallist after an epic performance from her and her Australian teammates in today’s final.
The Aussie squad finished in third place behind China and Poland with a time of 6:12:08 in the women’s quadruple sculls rowing final on Wednesday.
Hudson is now an Olympic bronze medallist alongside teammates Ria Thompson, Rowena Meredith, and Caitlin Cronin.
Well wishes flowed from the Warwick community for the homegrown prodigy earlier this morning in the lead-up to the big race.
Resident Bernadette Carey wrote on social media “Well done, we are all proud of you”, along with several comments of “Good luck!” and “Awesome!” from fellow Daily News readers.
EARLIER: The Warwick community has united this week to cheer on star athlete Harriet Hudson and the rest of her team as they prepare to race for an Olympic gold medal.
The 23-year-old and her teammates Ria Thompson, Rowena Meredith, and Caitlin Cronin will represent Australia in the women’s quadruple sculls final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Wednesday.
The race is set to kick off at 11.50am AEST with the Aussie squad to battle against teams from Italy, Poland, China, Germany, and the Netherlands for the title of Olympic champions.
Communities across the Warwick area have banded together in support of the homegrown athlete, including Wheatvale State School where Hudson was a student through to Year 6.
Teacher aide and Wheatvale parent Bron Maw said the entire cohort would watch the race and cheer on the talented Wheatvale alumni together.
“We brought Harriet to school when I was a parent here. She was always very enthusiastic and dedicated to whatever she was doing and put a lot of effort into whatever she did,” she said.
“The Hudsons were a big part of the Wheatvale community too when they were here. It’s just fantastic, we’re so proud and the kids are very excited to watch her race today.
“It is very inspiring to all the kids here to know that someone from a small school can go on to achieve big things if they follow their dreams.”
Green-and-gold displays complete with “Go Harriet!” signs and even Australian uniforms signed by the rowing star have popped up across Warwick businesses in a show of support for Hudson.
Belle Vue Cafe took to social media to share pictures of their set-up and give their well wishes to the Warwick athlete.
“Good luck Harriet! You are amazing. The Belle Vue team just want to congratulate you on how awesome you and your crew are, and we are cheering you on every step of the way at the Tokyo Olympics,” the post read.
Wade Real Estate shared their congratulations online as well, saying “We are so proud of Harriet and all she has achieved.”
The athlete told the Daily News it was her father Lynton’s own success in rowing that first inspired her to try the sport, which she soon fell in love with and ended up dedicating her life to.
“It’s so special to be able to represent your country and wear the green and gold,” Hudson said.
“I’m so proud to be from Warwick, because I love the community.”
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