Council celebrates Olympians and Paralympians

Redlands Coast athletes who competed at last month’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games have been officially congratulated by Redland City Council.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams hosted a morning tea today in honour of local athletes who were part of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams.

“The Redlands Coast athletes not only performed sensationally in their individual sports but they also performed faultlessly in their display of fairness and respect, in and out of competition,” Cr Williams said.

“The Olympics and Paralympics Games have a galvanising effect; they tend to bring the world together. It did fill me with pride to watch our city’s athletes front and centre of that showcase of excellence.

“After seeing just how the Games managed to harness, present and celebrate the unifying spirit of sport during such difficult times globally, it is exciting to know that we will have them literally right in our back yards in 2032.

“Redlands Coast will be an event venue city for the Canoe Slalom competition at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They will be held at a purpose-built Redland Whitewater Centre as part of an integrated aquatic and adventure sports facility within Birkdale Community Precinct.

“The 2032 Games will be one of our greatest opportunities ever to showcase our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast to the world.”

Cr Williams addressed the local athletes who attended the morning tea, saying their achievements at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games were another reminder of the level of excellence being reached by sporting clubs right across Redlands Coast.

“Well done to all the coaches, supporters and of course the families who have helped these wonderful athletes do us proud,” she said.

Redlands Coast athletes in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics included:

Mara Stransky of Russell Island finished 14th in the Women’s Laser Radial class. Cassiel Rousseau of Ormiston showed promise in the men’s diving 10m platform, finishing 8th in the final. Former Redlands Coast resident Mellisa Wu scored a bronze medal in the women’s diving 10m platform final. Taylor Worth of Birkdale made it to round 16 in the men’s archery individual event. Alannah Mathews of Sheldon competed as part of the five-member rhythmic gymnastics group. Shannon Parry of Cleveland was part of the women’s rugby sevens squad who unfortunately were unable to replicate their gold medal win in Rio 2016, losing to Fiji in the quarter finals. Emily Gielnik of Alexandra Hills was part of the Matildas Olympic squad who made it to the semi-finals and narrowly missed bringing home a bronze medal. BMX rider Logan Martin from Maudsland and trains in Redland Bay took the gold medal in the men’s BMX freestyle.

Redlands Coast athletes in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics included:

Swimmer Jake Michel of Birkdale scored silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke. Swimmer Paige Leonhardt of Thornlands scored silver in the women’s 100m butterfly; finished 6th in the women’s 100m breaststroke; and 6th in the women’s 200m individual medley.