As a child Dane Sampson dreamt of becoming an Olympian and now the dream is a reality

When Dane Sampson was a child he aspired to one day represent Australia at the Olympic Games. Now it is a dream that has come true three times over after his selection n the Australian Shooting team bound for 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021

When soon-to-be triple Olympian Dane Sampson was a child he aspired to one day represent Australia at the Games.

At time Sampson was unsure what sport it would be in, but something about seeing competition play out against the backdrop of the five Olympic rings fluttering on a flag in the breeze inspired him.

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Years later Sampson, 33, is confirmed as a member of the Australian Olympic Shooting Team bound for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be held in 2021.

Australia's gold medallist Dane Sampson. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick HAMILTON

He and two other Queenslanders, Paul Adams and Dina Aspandiyarova, will join him on the team next year.

“I always wanted to go to an Olympic Games,’’ said Sampson.

“That was the sport (competition) I liked watching on TV. I was not into football or cricket.

“I always liked the Olympic Games but could only watch it every four years.

“But I can remember when I was about 10 I said to dad (Rodney) that I want to go to the Olympics.

“I did not really know what sport I would do.

“But I was always around shooting and was interested in it and that was the avenue I choose.’’

He recalled his parents being supportive, but unsure about his lofty ambitions.

“Mum (Robyn) just didn’t know (if I’d get there). How do you know,’’ questioned the boy from the Brisbane Valley township of Coominya.

“But 23 years later I did it.’’

And not only one Olympics (2012), but another (2016) and soon to be another (Tokyo 2021).

When Tokyo comes around, Sampson will walk into the Olympic village among the best in the world.

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He improved his placings from the London Games (2012) to Rio (2016) considerably.

Sampson improved 17 positions to finish 20th and 31st in the 50m Rifle 3 Position and 50m Rifle Prone events respectively in Rio, while climbing five placings in the 10m Air Rifle. from London to Rio to finish 42nd overall.

Dane Sampson of Queensland during the Australia Olympic Games 50 metre Three Position Rifle Men Nomination Trials on March 20, 2020 . (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

But results went up a gear when Sampson, now an Adelaide resident but still a “proud Queenslander’’, claimed gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

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He followed that performance by becoming the first Australian to make a final in Rifle 3 Position at a world championship (2018), and then again the first Aussie to compete in a World Cup final (2019) in air rifle.

Dane Sampson in action at round one of the 2020 Olympic trials.

The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games were particularly special.

“It was special in its own way,’’ said Sampson, who is coached by

Petr Kurka.

“My family was there, some friends from school who had not seen me compete at big competition were there.

“Dad was working on the range.

“It (Belmont, Commercial Shooting Club) was my home range.

“I basically grew up there, and there were people everywhere that knew me. It was special to win at home. It does not happen all that often.

“There is no point in winning if you don’t have anyone to share it with.’’