Australia’s women’s team pursuit cyclist Georgia Baker pays tribute to Melissa Hoskins at Paris 2024 Olympics
Georgia Baker will never forget a gesture of generosity from the late Melissa Hoskins. Now she has matched it to ensure the former Olympian’s legacy lives on.
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Melissa Hoskins may be gone but she will never be forgotten.
Australia’s women’s team pursuit cycling member Georgia Baker has staged an emotional tribute to former Olympian Hoskins who died due to injuries sustained by a car outside their home in Adelaide on December 20.
Her husband, fellow cyclist Rohan Dennis, has been charged with causing his wife’s death.
In an emotional Instagram post, the Australian team revealed the reason why they will wear identical watches during the Games.
“Georgie gifted us these precious watches to remember this moment in time,’’ they wrote. “It’s a way to remember the team and our journey together.
“A way to keep us united and to remember the memories left from this amazing experience.
“For Georgia’s first Olympics in 2016 the late Melissa Hoskins gifted her and her teammates one and she still treasures it. She wanted to give us the same present.
“We could not be more thankful.’’
Baker gifted team members Alexandra Manly, Chloe Moran, Maeve Plouffe and Sophie Edwards the watches as a way to remember the Olympics and honour Hoskins’ memory
The cycling community was devastated by Hoskins’ death. In the weeks after it happened Olympic gold medallist Grace Brown shared her grief.
“The cycling community is struggling to comprehend it really,’’ Brown said.
“Personally, I’m just super-sad for Mel and her family.’’
Speaking to News Corp in the lead-up to the games, executive general manager of AusCycling Jesse Korf spoke of the added emotion that several track riders would carry with them to Paris following Hoskins’ tragic passing.
“There’s a couple of riders that overlapped with Melissa by getting into the national program when Melissa was still there,’’ Korf said.
“Particularly some of the more senior track endurance and track sprint riders.
“For sure, for some it will be extra emotional.
“It has been for a long time, obviously there’s been moments of silences, memorials and a lot of support from the community as well.
“That emotion is going to be very individual.’’
Dennis is scheduled to face court in Adelaide next week, charged with causing death by dangerous driving and driving without due care.
Dennis and Hoskins had only recently returned to settle in Adelaide with their two children after Dennis retired from the Word Tour in 2023.
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Originally published as Australia’s women’s team pursuit cyclist Georgia Baker pays tribute to Melissa Hoskins at Paris 2024 Olympics
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