Tokyo Olympics 2021: Aussie Steve Holland hailed as ‘guardian angel’ after saving life at BMX venue

‘He’s my guardian angel, and I owe him my second life.’ Steve Holland may not be well known but there’s no denying the impact the Aussie photo manager has had on the Olympics.

Emma McKeonhas a rival for best on ground at these Games - and it has nothing to do with medals.

Gold Coast’sSteve Holland, photo manager at Ariake Urban Sports Park, where the BMX was held, is being hailed as a “guardian angel” after performing CPR and saving the life of venue manager Andreas Werz.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Werz said: “Steve was my guardian angel, and I owe him my second life. We are connected together in a special way forever.”

Aussie photo manager Steve Holland (right) with Andres Werz.

“The doctors told me he saved my life, no question about it.

“I will get out on Tuesday and I am going to have a beer with my guardian angel.

“I have invited him back to Columbia to meet my family, and I will take my family to meet him on the Gold Coast.”

The pair was packing up at the venue on July 28 when Werz slumped down in the chair - and Holland jumped into action.

“It was the night before the start of four days of BMX ... and we were packing up to go for a beer and BBQ,” Holland said.

“I looked over and he was frozen with his hands clenched.

“I put him on the floor and couldn’t find a pulse or breath.

“He started going blue ... I started pushing and I heard his ribs crack, I thought I had broken every one. I then started mouth to mouth and called for an ambulance.

Medical staff work on Andreas Werrz.

“After about five minutes there was a gurgle ... a medical officer then arrived to help ... we waited about 45 minutes for Andreas to stabilise, and he was fitting the whole time.”

Werz, who had no previous history of heart problems and is expected to make a full recovery, then spent five days in an induced coma while doctors ran tests.

They found he had suffered symptoms similar to a stroke but due to a chemical imbalance.

With the skate park staying as a legacy venue to be used by the locals, there has been an immediate call by Olympic volunteers to call it Steve’s Park.