Meet the seven sets of Australian sporting siblings heading to the Rio Olympic Games in August

SISTER acts and brotherly love: Michael Carayannis speaks to the seven sets of Australian sporting siblings already bound for Brazil this August.

Australian swimming stars Cate and Bronte Campbell. Picture Gregg Porteous

THE ethos surrounding Australia’s quest for a record breaking medal haul at Rio is all based on culture.

And team culture is easy to come by when you have seven sets of siblings competing alongside each other at this year’s Olympics.

Today Michael Carayannis takes a look at what makes the chemistry of these star siblings, what binds Olympic families and we track their journey from backyard rivalries to international superstars.

Bronte and Cate Campbell (Swimming)

Bronte used to walk around the house showing off her medals in front of older sister Cate. That was enough to propel Cate into action and dedicate herself to swimming.

“There actually wasn’t too much of rivalry between us growing up,” Bronte said. “Maybe a little bit initially as I trained a lot harder than Cate for our first competition and I won a lot of medals, I think we were around seven and nines years old.

“I paraded these around the house and was very proud, this fuelled something in Cate and she decided she wanted to achieve the same thing so she started to put more effort in.”

It was not until year 7 that the duo ditched other sports to focus all their attention on swimming. But their Olympic dreams were cast well before that.

Bronte and Cate Campbell are sisters, best friends and Olympic rivals.

“As 10 year olds we laughed and joked about what we wanted to be, and we both agreed we would compete at an Olympics together,” Bronte said. “Competing at an Olympics is incredible but doing it with your best friend by your side is extra special.”

Jared and Rachel Tallent (athletics)

The Tallent’s still battle it out for a daily award on the training track. It is their way of keeping motivated and ensuring they keep pushing each other to the limits.

“Since there is eight years between us I wouldn’t say there was much rivalry growing up,” Rachel said.

“Nowadays however I think there is much more rivalry because we are older and both in the senior ranks. Jared and his wife have always had what we call ‘athlete of the day’. Whoever has done a better training session compared to what they are usually capable of wins the title ‘athlete of the day’. Growing up I joined in and now Jared and I push each other in our sessions so we can be the ‘athlete of the day’.”

50km walk silver medallist Jared Tallent gets a hug from sister Rachel, 15, in Beijing.

Jared also doubles as Rachel’s coach. It was at a drop off for Jared which helped first inspire Rachel to take on athletics.

“I actually remember asking mum whether I could go training with him one afternoon when we were dropping him off,” Rachel said.

Carmen and Caroline Marton (taekwondo)

Teenagers fight right? But what happens when you and your sibling are destined to fight at the Olympics?

“The first thing you learn in a martial art sport is discipline and you are not allowed to use it at home,” Caroline said.

“Yet one time when I had just started high school and I had brought my first friends home and Carmen wanted to play with us and I said no and she wrestled me to the ground in front of them all and that’s when I knew I couldn’t mess with her anymore. I was devastated.”

Carmen added: “Which meant we could fight but we were not allowed to kick or punch or else we would get into big trouble — especially from our dad.”

The Marton sisters were brought up on a diet of taekwondo from a young age.

Taekwondo champions and sisters Carmen and Caroline Marton.

“Our father has always been very passionate about taekwondo,” Caroline said. “In all honesty we were forced into it without a choice. He would train us every other night at home, so we would always be perfecting our technique.”

Their younger brother Jack is also Rio bound as a training partner for the duo having been listed as a reserve for the men’s under-80 kilogram division while Carmen’s partner Safwan Khalil will line up for his second Olympics.

Emma and David McKeon (swimming)

David may be one year older than sister Emma, but that did not stop his younger sibling getting the better of him in the backyard of their Wollongong home. The racing would turn into a familiar affair, including lining against their dad — former Olympic swimmer Ron.

“I was always faster than David when we were younger probably up until I was about 15,” Emma said.

“And he hated that. We had a backyard pool. There was often a bit of fun rivalry between us. I remember when I was much younger maybe about five, mum, dad, David and I would all race each other one lap of the pool and I remember coming last every time.

David and Emma McKeon inherited their Olympic pedigree from father Ron.

“And then eventually I would then beat mum, and then started to beat David when I was a bit older and I can’t really remember ever beating dad, but I probably could now.

“Once me and David were older I think he got sick of me beating him so he started training and then just wanted to beat all of my times, which he did pretty quickly.”

Will and Jaime Ryan (sailing)

Jaime answered a desperate call from brother Will which kickstarted her sailing crave. Long before she qualified for the Olympics, Jaime was a hesitant sailor, unlike older brother Will.

“Our family moved to next to the waters of Lake Macquarie, which was a trigger for me getting into sail boat racing,” Will said. “Jaime was hesitant for many years to get involved, as she preferred other sports and books — and it wasn’t until a desperate need for a fill-in crew forced her onto the water with our sister Sasha.

“We both were out on the water at an early age on-board our grandfathers’ yacht. My first outing was at two days old; and although it took quite some years before either of us got into racing, it was a sign I guess.”

Australian Mens and Womens 470 sailors, Will Ryan and sister Jaime.

While Will described himself as “hugely competitive”, he does not need much reminding when he is pipped by a family member.

“Jaime as a middle child I think has always been challenging for the limelight — and I’ve often heard her and sisters Sasha and Elise referring to me as the favourite child,” Will said. “Jaime and her sisters have no issue remembering any races they have come close to or beaten me in.”

Max and Chloe Esposito (modern pentathlon)

Rio will certainly be a family affair for the Esposito family, with Max and Chloe coached by dad Daniel who competed at the 1984 Olympics.

Chloe finished seventh at the London Olympics while 18-year-old Max will compete in his first Olympics. The pair were the first Australian athletes to qualify for Rio, having known of their Olympic selection since last July.

Injury has stifled their Olympic preparations.

Josh and Nathan Katz (Judo)

JUDO stars Josh and Nathan Katz will become Australia’s first brothers to compete in judo at the Olympics. Josh, at 18, will become the youngest ever male Australian judo Olympian.

Their mother Kerrye competed at the 1988 Olympics, where judo was a demonstration sport for women, and their father Rob coached her in Seoul.

The brothers have spent two years travelling the globe fighting for qualification.

“I’m extremely proud to be able to compete for Australia at the Olympics as it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid,” Josh said. “It’s really amazing to be able to share the whole Olympic experience with my brother. We’ve been training partners since we were kids and we want each other to achieve everything the other one does.

“With Mum competing in 1988 and Dad the Olympic coach they appreciate what goes on to make this happen. I think they are very excited for us because they’ve been through it all with us.”

Chloe and Max Esposito were Australia's first Olympians selected for Rio 2016.

“I had shin splits for five months which prevented me from running and fencing,” Max said.

Daniel added: “It’s been a very difficult period for all of us due to injuries. But a great learning curve of never give up under difficult circumstances. We are back on the rails as in full training and competing. I’m very happy with their training and attitude. They have been very focused.”

Originally published as Meet the seven sets of Australian sporting siblings heading to the Rio Olympic Games in August