Get to know eight of our region’s Olympians and when you can watch them

From swimming to equestrian, discus to rowing, South West Queensland lays claim to several hometown heroes who will represent Australia, and their region, at the Paris Olympics. Meet our athletes here.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is gearing up for an onslaught of South West Queenslanders competing to bring glory to Australia and our region.

We’ve got the line-up of eight of our region’s Olympians ahead of the Paris Games, and when you can watch them compete.

MATT DENNEY

Matt Denney from Allora Photo: Annette Dew.

Superstar Allora athlete Matt Denney is preparing for his third Olympics, and with discus in hand and his hometown behind him, he’s ready for anything.

The 28-year-old from the Southern Downs grew up playing rugby league but made the move to athletics in high school.

When he started to develop in Athletics in his teens, they built a homemade discus circle on his family’s rural property.

Matt Denny's mural proudly on display outside of Allora's Railway Hotel. Photo: Tanya Verri

When back home in Allora, he still trains in the circle.

“I’m super proud to be from Allora and the fact it’s being placed in town where I have some many great memories make me proud of what I have achieved so far in my career,” he said this week.

“My preparations have been very positive, and we are very happy with the training camp we just completed. I’m keen to get back to Europe to finish off the last touches for Paris.”

HARRIET HUDSON

Harriet Hudson will once again represent Australia and the Southern Downs for rowing

Warwick’s own Harriet Hudson is ready for her second Olympic outing for rowing, looking to once again get on the podium.

Born in the Downs, Hudson moved south to search of further rowing opportunities, studying at Sydney University.

“It’s so special to be able to represent your country and wear the green and gold,” Hudson said in 2021.

“I’m so proud to be from Warwick, because I love the community.”

PATRICK TIERNAN

TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 30: Patrick Tiernan of Team Australia competes in the Men's 10,000m Final on day seven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Darling Downs long distance running star is ready for his third Olympics. From Longreach but growing up and residing in Toowoomba, the runner is known for being a hard worker.

“It shows just what a great place Australian distance running is in. It’s something we as a team and as a country should be really proud of,” Tiernan said in March.

In January, Tiernan took a shot at qualifying for the Olympics. He ran 25 seconds under the standard to clock, elevating him to number two in Australian history. He was also just 14 seconds outside the Australian record.

BEN ARMBRUSTER 

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 15: Ben Armbruster waves to the crowd during the Australian 2024 Paris Olympic Games Swimming Squad Announcement at Brisbane Aquatic Centre on June 15, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

It’s been a long journey for one Stanthorpe swimmer, who began his career carving up “Queensland’s coldest pool” in his native Granite Belt, to now eyeing off Olympic glory in Paris.

Qualifying last month for his first ever Olympics, Armbruster, at only 22, is well on his way to cement himself in the region’s history books.

Armbruster began swimming at age 4, and being from Stanthorpe meant many long drives to competitions and meets. The swimmer could only train half as much as other athletes, as Stanthorpe’s pool is only open six months a year.

Armbruster’s boyhood swim club in Stanthorpe took to Facebook shortly following his big win on Wednesday night, congratulating the young athlete and calling his performance “inspirational”.

“Biggest congrats to you Ben, the boy from the coldest pool in (Queensland), now an Olympian. What a story!” a resident commented.

CHARLOTTE CASLICK

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 03: Charlotte Caslick of Australia poses for a portrait during the Australian 2024 Paris Olympic Games Rugby Squad Announcement at Hubert Restaurant on July 03, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The 29-year-old rugby gun, who owns a cattle property at Stanthorpe, has been dubbed the ‘fastest woman in world rugby’ and will be one to pay attention to as she competes in her third Olympics.

Bringing Australia to Olympic glory for Rugby 7s by winning gold in Rio in 2016, the team is keen to once again achieve glory in Paris.

Widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet, Caslick was again crowned the Sevens Player of the Year in 2022.

Although born in Brisbane, Caslick has fully been adopted by the Southern Downs region and is considered a local hometown hero.

TATUM STEWART

Tatum Stewart celebrates a goal for the Brisbane Blaze celebrates before it was disallowed during the Hockey One League Women's semi-final against Hockey Club Melbourne

Toowoomba Hockeyroos defender Tatum Stewart, 22, is ready to debut at her first Olympic Games after overcoming injury.

After tearing her meniscus in February, Stewart was named in the Australia squad and is ready for the ultimate call up.

Stewart was part of the team for the 2023 Oceania Cup series against New Zealand, where the Hockeyroos clinched victory and a place at the Paris Olympics.

“My philosophy as an athlete ever since I was very young has been on learning,” Stewart said earlier this year.

“Nobody is perfect and in any competitive team sport it would be irresponsible to think that.

“There’s always an opportunity to learn, to improve yourself as an individual player and as a teammate.”

CHRISTOPHER BURTON

Equestrian Christopher Burton is ready for his fourth Olympics.

Chris Burton grew up on a grain farm at Jondaryan, near Toowoomba where his passion for equestrian sports was cemented.

For his third birthday he got his first pony, Clancy, and with him he began his riding, a journey that would see him compete at three Olympics, with Paris to be the fourth.

The 42-year-old was again selected to represent Australia at the 2016 Summer Olympics where he won a team bronze and placed fifth individually.

TALIQUA CLANCY

Burnett's own Taliqua Clancy has already made history as the first Indigenous Australian to compete at Olympics volleyball.

Kingaroy born and raised, Clancy is gearing up for her third Olympics as a beach volleyball player for Australia.

The 32-year-old won silver in Tokyo 2020, with the Burnett Region getting around their hometown hero.

Clancy was inspired to pursue her own Olympic glory after witnessing Cathy Freeman’s historic triumph at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games, and turned down a netball scholarship to pursue volleyball.

This move would see her within a few years get the call up for Rio 2016, making history as the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in the sport – following in Freeman’s footprints.

“I want to be a role model and I want to inspire other Aboriginal kids, Aboriginal athletes, Aboriginal people in general, to get out and chase their dreams,” she said in 2016.

WATCH SCHEDULE

All of the Olympic action will be available to watch on Channel 9, 9 Now and Stan Sports, kicking off from 3.30am on Saturday, July 27.

Here’s some of the key fixtures to look out for.

FROM JULY 27 – Women’s preliminary beach volleyball -10.00pm

FROM JULY 27 – Eventing Team Dressage – 5.30pm

FROM JULY 27 – Men’s swimming (various)

JULY 27- Women’s rowing double sculls heats – 8pm

JULY 29 – Hockey women’s Aus v GB – 1.00am

JULY 29- Women’s rugby 7s Aus v SA – 12.00am

AUGUST 5 – Men’s discus throw qualification – 6:10pm