Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games - 5o rookies to watch

Now for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics - 50 athletes to watch. As we ponder the record equalling success of our Tokyo Olmypians, we peer forward at some of our local rookies eyeing the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Look out the world. A new generation of young Australian sporting giants have peered into the future and glimpsed the pinnacle - our Mount Olympus - the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Confirmation of Brisbane hosting the 2032 Olympic Games host has sent sporting young guns scurrying to adjust their planning diaries to include August-September - 2032 as part of future ambitions.

“To compete at an Olympics would be awesome, but in my hometown it would be unbelievable,’’ said middle distance swimming schoolboy Sam Short.

“I’ve heard a lot about the Sydney Olympics and how it was the best ever. I think Brisbane will be better.

Rackley Centenary swimmer Samuel Short. Picture, John Gass

“I finished second in the 1500m freestyle at the Olympic swimming trials, got the FINA A time, but unfortunately I wasn’t selected.

“So I’m super determined to get to Paris, then LA and finish off in Brisbane.’’

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For teenage water polo ace Will Valentine a 2032 Games would be right in his hitting zone - he will be aged 28 and at the peak of his powers.

Water polo young gun, Will Valentine, 17, of Marist College Ashgrove is every chance to be representing Australia at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I’ve already said to myself ‘imagine winning a gold in my hometown’.

“Looking back to 2000, which I obviously hadn’t been born yet, but watching videos of the women’s water polo, Cathy Freeman and all these Aussies winning gold at an Australian Olympics and how it brought the country together ... it seems like such an awesome thing, and I could only imagine the party afterwards.’’

Torrie Lewis became the youngest Australian to win a state open sprint title. (Image/Josh Woning)

Morayfield SHS student Caleb Law, 17, a 100 and 100m sprinter who has Cathy Freeman as his idol, said: “The thought of competing with the support of all my family and friends inspires me a great deal.’’

And female sprint sensation Torrie Lewis, whose 100m track PB is a startling 11.55secs, said: “Nothing is impossible’’ in terms of pursuing a Brisbane Olympics.

Dreams do come true. Just ask four time Olympian Bronwen Knox (water polo) and current Olympian Mitch Larkin, who are both representing Australia in Tokyo.

Knox was a schoolgirl when her family took a driving holiday to Sydney to watch the 2000 Olympics.

After attending the water polo gold medal match Knox declared she wanted to be an Australian water polo player.

Larkin was a little boy, home from school with a broken arm, when he became captivated by Olympic Games swimming.

RELATED LINKS

ISABELLA HART DREAMS OF BRISBANE GAMES

MOLLIE O’ MAKES AUSSIE DOLPHINS SWIM TEAM

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He promptly told his mother - I want to swim for Australia. And so he did.

And so dozens, hundreds of young Queensland kids, struck with wanderlust and with stars in their eyes, will start aiming for the distant Brisbane Olympic Games.

Rackley Centenary swimmer Samuel Short. Picture, John Gass

“There is something about a home games that inspires.’’ said Mayne Harriers athletics club coach Andrew Iselin

“I am hoping this announcement will ignite a spark that fosters the development of our junior athletes or rather our future Olympians.’’

Andrew Peach, principal of one of Queensland’s largest state high schools (Marsden) in a region which is a mecca for elite sporting talent, said a Brisbane Olympics would “provide a massive boost’’ to young sporting children.

Morayfield SHS sprinter schoolboy Calab Law training at Mayne Harriers, Windsor Park PICTURE: Brad Fleet

“I’ve no doubt we’ll see a renewed interest in sports, especially Olympic sports, and more importantly the healthy habits and behaviours associated with sport and physical fitness,’’ said Peach, who has watched a Marsden SHS alumni, Logan Martin (BMX), compete at the Tokyo Games.

“At Marsden SHS and many other schools, sport plays a really important role in engaging kids in learning and helping to develop character and the discipline required to be successful in any field. It’s a really exciting time for educators with an eye on the future and the kids and families we support.

St Peters Lutheran College’s Ella Ramsay Picture, John Gass

Of course these ripper sporting rookies have aims and aspirations long before Brisbane the 2032 Olympics.

Lewis, the St Peters Lutheran College schoolgirl whose personal best time is 11.55 seconds for the 100m, could represent Australia as soon as next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Short, a 400m, 800m and 1500m swimmer, was closer than you think to making the Tokyo Games and will surely represent Australia.

“My goals are to make the Commonwealth Games and World Championship teams in 2022,’’ the Prince of Peace Lutheran College student from Everton Park said.

Promsing water polo players Sabine Hatzipetrou (BGGS), Olivia Muir (Somerville), Emma Pickering (St Margarets) Meg Hofstee (St Peters), Chelsea Johnson (St Margarets) and Lulu Elliott (BSHS). Picture: Renae Droop

“In 2024, I am aiming for the 2024 Paris Olympics. I can’t wait to race internationally.’’

Valentine said after under 17 and under 19 national age commitments this year, he hoped to attend the World Uni Games and “eventually punch through into the national team in time for Paris in 2024,’’ Valentine added.

Young Athlete

“I’d always thought I’d rather go on a trip or tour for nationals or what not than have them in Brisbane, but the Olympics are different.

“There’s something about having the Olympics where you grew up as a kid that makes you want to have it here and go nowhere else. ”To represent your country in your country would be a huge honour for anyone and I’d be lucky to have a crack at doing so in 2032,’’ the Marist College Ashgrove student said.

Mayne Harriers’ Calab Law training at Windsor Park PICTURE: Brad Fleet

Law, who runs the 100m in 10.53 seconds and the 200m in 21.12 seconds, has world the  junior track and field (under 20 championships) on his radar this year.But of course, Brisbane 2032 hangs as a carrot.

“I will be 27 that year so hopefully if I can stay injury free and still be racing well, I will be there.’’ said Law, who twice a week catches a train from Caboolture to Albion for training.

“I’m prepared to be more dedicated and committed to my training next year with more gym and training sessions, hoping to take more time off my pbs in the coming seasons.’’

Brisbane diver Cassiel Rousseau Pics Adam Head

Here are 50, of many, rising rookies to watch

Liz Dekkers (swimming)

Torrie Lewis (track athlete)

Sam Short (swimming)

Ashley Moloney (track athlete)

Ella Ramsay (swimming)

Mollie O’Callaghan (swimming)

Georgie West (hockey)

Reece Holder (track athlete)

Ky Robinson (track athlete)

Liam Gilbert (decathlete)

Tenealle Fasala (water polo)

Ellie Beer (track athlete)

Abby Andrews (water polo)

Riley Day (track)

Lyvante Su’emai of Logan.

Kai Taylor (swimming)

Ellie Beer (track athlete)

Caleb Law (track athlete)

Will Valentine (water polo)

Joshua Cowley (field athlete)

Sophie Malcolm (rowing)

Cassiel Rousseau (diving)

Jude Thomas (athletics)

Lyvante Su’emai (field athlete)

Olivia Matzer (athletics)

Amelia Watt (water polo)

Liam Hart. Picture by Richard Gosling

Kiarra Milligan (diving)

Samantha Olivier (diving)

Liam Hart (hockey)

Isabella Harte (track athlete)

Taryn Roberts (swimming)

Amelia Weber (swimming)

Angelina Tignani (field athlete)

Flynn Southern (swimming)

Mathias Klar (diving)

Jonah Turner (diving)

Isabelle Carnes (cycling)

Ruby Harris (hockey)

Heritage Park’s Ashley Moloney with his bronze medal(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Ethan and Callum Close (triathlon)

Ashley Wong (track athlete)

Anders McApline (swimming)

Hannah Astbury (hockey)

Chelsea Johnson (water polo)

Annie Cowan (water polo)

Charlize Andrews (water polo)

Jade Smith (hockey)

Sabine Hatzipetrou (water polo)

Olivia Muir (water polo)

Emma Pickering (water polo)

Meg Hofstee (water polo)

Lulu Elliott (water polo)

FOOTNOTE: This list is just a sample of sporting talent. Email andrew dawson at [e-mail] with suggestion for rookies to watch from a vast array of Olympic sports. He’d love to hear from you.