‘Great to see him walking again’: Game of Thrones fans back Brandon Starc

DESPITE being on Olympic debut, Aussie high jumper Brandon Starc has a legion of international fans — thanks to his name.

Australia’s Brandon Starc competes in the men’s high jump qualifying round at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Picture: AFP/Frank Fife

DESPITE being on Olympic debut, Australian high jumper Brandon Starc already has a legion of international fans.

And he has his name to thank for it.

Starc, who is the younger brother of Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, also shares his name with the character of Brandon “Bran” Stark from the hit series Game of Thrones.

Isaac Hempstead as Brandon ‘Bran’ Stark in Game of Thrones. Picture: HBO via AP

The 22-year-old athlete cleared 2.29m in his third and final attempt on Sunday night to qualify in 11th place for the high jump final, drawing support from his older brother who is playing in the third Test in Sri Lanka.

“What a legend young cratsy … qualified for the Olympic final good boy!!! Very proud … #whatalegend @Brandonstarc93,” his brother, Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc, tweeted to his 476,000 followers.

What a legend young cratsy... qualified for the Olympic final good boy!!! Very proud... #whatalegend @Brandonstarc93

— Mitch Starc (@mstarc56) August 15, 2016

However, outside of family support, it seems GoT devotees are leading the celebrations.

Cathy O’Malley tweeted Starc was “taking time off from Game of Thrones” to compete in the event, while other fans joked about the character’s troubled fate.

“Great to see him walking again,” tweeted Brit Dan Wilde, referring to the fictional Stark’s inability to use his legs after he is pushed out of a tower in season one.

“Brandon Starc may be a pretty good high jumper but Brandon Stark is a better long faller,” Twitter user Rob Wycoff, of England, said.

… to Rio. Picture: Chris McGrath/Getty Images for Athletics Australia

From Westeros …

Athletics Australia has also started using the hashtag #HouseStarc in their posts about the high jumper, mimicking the popular use of #HouseStark by fans of the show.

Starc will compete in the 15-man final on Wednesday morning Australian time.