Almanac Teams: Olympic Team

 

With the Paris 2024 Olympics starting this week have I based this week on an Olympic Theme. The players are ones that have immediate family members being involved in the Olympics. There is also some Olympians that I have mentioned that have had off field roles. The team is based on the summer Olympics.

 

From the AFL Media Guide there has been eight AFL footballers that have represented Australia at the Olympics. The eight Olympians are:

 

Peter Bennett (St Kilda 103 Games 1944 & 1947-51 & 1953-54)

1952 & 1956 Water Polo

Bennett captained Australia in Water Polo in 1956 and won Gold in 1950 Commonwealth Games

 

Simon Fraser (Essendon 21 Games 1905-06, University 2 Games 1909)

1912 Rowing Men’s 8

Australia was beaten in the Quarter Finals

 

Corrie Gardner (Essendon 12 Games 1898 & Melbourne 48 Games 1900-03 & 1905)

1904 Athletics

Gardner competed in Long Jump where he finished outside top 6 and 110 Hurdle where he was last in his heat. Gardner was a premiership player in 1900.

 

Brendon Hackwill (Fitzroy 17 Games 1965-66)

1964 Basketball

Australia finished 9^th in the Basketball in 1964

 

Bill McCabe, (North Melbourne 13 Games 1957-59)

1956 Water Polo

McCabe was in the same side as Bennett and was the Goalkeeper.

 

Laurie Morgan (Fitzroy 34 Games 1937-39)

1960 Equestrian

Morgan won two Gold Medals at 1960 Olympics in the individual eventing and then teamed up with Neale Lavis and Bill Roycroft in the team eventing.

 

Ron Taylor (South Melbourne 22 Games 1953-56 & St Kilda 4 Games 1958)

1960 Boxing, 1964 Rowing

Taylor made the round of 16 in the heavyweight division. Taylor changed sports in 1964 and competed in the coxless pairs where he was eliminated in the first race.

 

Keith Wiegard (Fitzroy 32 Games 1957-59 & 61)

1960 Water Polo

Wiegard scored all three goals in Australia loss to Netherland, but Australia never made it past the group stage. Keith’s brother Leon represented Australia in 1964 and 1972 and was a former Fitzroy president.

 

AFLW players that represented Australia have been:

 

Chloe Dalton (32 Games – Carlton 2019-2020 & GWS 2022-)

2016 Rugby 7

Dalton is an Olympic Gold Medallist from Rio and was runner up in 2020 Best & Fairest for Carlton. Dalton missed 2021 Olympics due to injury.

 

Tessa Lavey (25 Games – Richmond 2021-)

2020 Basketball

Lavey was a member of the Australian team that lost to the USA in the Quarter Finals.

 

Maddi Levi (8 Games – Gold Coast 2021)

2021 Rugby 7

Levi was a member of Australia team that made the Quarter Finals.

 

Kim Mickle (1 Game – Fremantle 2017)

2016 Javelin

Mickle one game of football resulted in a knee reconstruction. Mickle competed at 2016 Olympics but did not get past first round due to shoulder injury. Mickle won Gold at 2014 Commonwealth games and silver in 2010 and silver at 2013 World Championships.

 

Georgia Nanscawen (13 Games – Essendon 2023-)

2012 Hockey

Nanscawen was a member of 2014 Commonwealth Gold Medal team and 2014 Silver Medal world champion teams.

 

Georgia Parker (3 Games – Collingwood 2018-19)

2016 Hockey

Parker was part of the team that made the quarter finals in 2016.  She won gold at 2014 Commonwealth Games

 

Erin Phillips (46 Games – Adelaide 2017-22 & 20 Games Port Adelaide 2022-23)

2008 Basketball

Phillips was an Olympic Silver Medallist in Beijing and was a member of the gold Medal world champions in 2006 and in 2006 Commonwealth games. Phillips played in the WNBA from 2002-16 playing for Connecticut, Indiana , Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Dallas, playing in a championship in 2012 with Indiana and 2014 with Phoenix. In AFLW Phillips is a three time premiership player including twice as co-captain with Adelaide, three time All Australia, two time league best & fairest and two time best on ground in the Grand Final amongst many other club awards.

 

Brooke Walker (37 Games – Carlton & Essendon 2019-)

Walker was the travelling reserve for the 2016 Rugby 7s Olympics but did not play a game.

 

I am sure I have missed others especially off field roles and if have some other connections please feel free to comment. I have also just concentrated on the VFL/AFL re players and stats but would love to hear from those that have better knowledge of other state leagues like SANFL and WAFL and their Olympic connections.

 

The Olympic Team

FB      Bill Mildenhall (ST.K)               Brett Chalmers (Adel/PA)                 Simon Wiggins (Carl)

CHB   Tim Notting (Bne)                    Greg Phillips (Coll)                              Kieran Sporn (Ess/Fitz)

CE      Max Holmes (Gee)                   Steve Malaxos (Haw)                         Jack Trengove (Melb/PA)

CHF   Les Flintoff (Rich)                     Max Crow (Ess/St.K/Foots)              Paul Sproule (Ess/Rich)

FF       David Clarke (Gee/Carl)         Stewart Gull (Syd)                               Jim Forsyth (Ess)

Ru      David Hale (Nth/Haw)  Daniel Kerr (WCE)                               Jack Clarke (Ess)

Int      Jim Edmond (Foots/Syd/Bne),        Mark Mickan (Bne/Adel),      John Ronaldson (Rich), Andrew Tranquilli (Coll)

Sub    Jack Peris (St.K)

Emg   Austin Bradtke (Melb), Cameron McKenzie-McHarg (Foots), James Tomkins (Melb)

 

Others

Mark Blicavs (Gee), Martin Bolger (Rich),Dean Brogan (PA/GWS), Michael Byrne (Melb/Haw/Syd), Fred Davies (Carl), Steve Goulding (NM),Glyn Hewitt (Rich), Allen Lewis (Rich), Oleg Markov (Rich/GCS/Coll), Gerard Neesham (Syd), Werner Reiterer (Ess), Tyrone Vickery (Rich/Haw) Peter Weightman (Melb)

 

Coach – Neil Craig

Assistant Coach – John Cahill, Gerard Neasham

High Performance Consultant – Ric Charlesworth

President – Leon Wiegard

Board Members – Herb Elliott & Samantha Riley

CEO – Ian Campbell, Tracey Gaudry & Don Hanly

Football Manager – Nicole Livingstone

Fitness Conditioning – Peter Burge

Sprint Coach – Glynis Nunn- Cearns

 

Bill Mildenhall – 77 Games St Kilda 1974-82

Basketball Official 1992 & 2000 Olympics

Mildenhall is a basketball referee who officiated in the NBL between 1979 and 2011. Mildenhall officiated in 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 2000 Sydney Olympics. Mildenhall officiated in the Bronze Medal Men’s match in Barcelona and the semifinal of the Woman’s at the Sydney Olympics. Mildenhall did a USA Dream Team against Germany in 1992 and France in 2000. Mildenhall is now an AFL interchange steward.

 

Brett Chalmers – 50 Games Adelaide 1994-97 & 25 Games Port Adelaide 1998-99)

Kyle Chalmers – Swimming  2016 & 2020 Olympics

Chalmers won Gold at 2016 Rio Olympics in a World Record time. Chalmers also won Bronze in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay and the 4x100m Medley Relay. Chalmers would win Silver in the 100m Freestyle at Tokyo in 2021 and Bronze in the 4x100m and 4x200m Freestyle Relays and swam in the 4×100 Medley Relay. Chalmers will swim in the 100m freestyle in the Paris Olympics.

 

Simon Wiggins – 116 Games Carlton 2001-10

Loudy Wiggins (Tourky) – Diving 1996, 2000, 2004 & 2012 Olympics

Wiggins competed in the 3m Springboard in 1996 but did not make the final. At the Sydney Olympics Wiggins won Bronze in the synchronized 10 metre platform and came 4^th in the synchronized 3 metre Springboard. In Athens 2004 Wiggins won Bronze in the individual 10 metre platform and came 4^th in the individual 3 metre Springboard and 4^th in the synchronized in the 10 metre platform. In 2012 Wiggins came 4^th in the synchronized 10 metre platform.

 

Tim Notting – 208 Games Brisbane 1998-2009

Jodie Henry – Swimming 2004 Olympics

Jodie is married to Tim and competed at the Athens Olympics where she won three gold medals and swam in three world records. Henry won Gold in the 4×100 Freestyle Relay swimming the anchor leg in world record time. Henry then won the 100m freestyle after setting a world record in the semifinal. Henry then swam the freestyle leg in the 4×100 Medley relay Gold Medal.

 

Greg Phillips – 84 Games Collingwood 1983-86

Erin Phillips – Basketball 2008 Olympics

Phillips was an Olympic Silver Medallist in Beijing starting on the bench and averaging 2 points per game. Australia was unbeaten in the Preliminary round and beat Czech Republic in the Quarter Final and China in the semi final before losing to USA 92-65.

 

Kieran Sporn – 72 Games Essendon 1979-83 & 12 Games Fitzroy 1994

Rachael Sporn – Basketball 1996, 2000 & 2004 Olympics

Sporn played as forward/centre for the Woman’s Team in three Olympics winning Bronze in Atlanta in 1996 and Silver in Sydney 2000 & Athens 2004. Sporn averaged 8 points a game in 1996 as a starting five member and four points a game in 2000 & 2004. Sporn played 12 seasons for Adelaide in WNBL winning the MVP twice and finished her career as all time point leader and rebound leader. Sporn also played three seasons in the WNBA for Detroit.

 

Max Holmes – 68 Games Geelong 2021-

Lee Naylor – Athletics 1996 & 2000 Olympics

Naylor ran in the 400m at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics and 4×400 relay in Atlanta. Naylor made the Quarter Finals in Atlanta while Australia did not advance to the final from first round in the relay. In Sydney Naylor once again made the Quarter Finals in the 400m. Naylor would win Bronze at 1995 world championships in Gothenburg in the 4×400 relay and Gold in Kuala Lumpur in the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

 

Steve Malaxos – 9 Games Hawthorn 1985 & 66 Games West Coast 1987-89

Suzanne Malaxos – Athletics 1996 Olympics

Suzanne competed in the Marathon at the Atlanta Olympics at the age of 34 coming 57^th out of 86 in time of 2hr50m46s. Malaxos would also run in the 10000 at the Australian Athletic championships.

 

Jack Trengove – 86 Games Melbourne 2010-17 & 3 Games Port Adelaide 2018-19

Jessica Stenson (Trengove) – Athletics 2012, 2016 & 2024 Olympics

Jessica is Jack’s older sister and was 25 when she debuts at the London Olympics. Jessica came 39^th in London in a time of 2h31m17s and came 22^nd in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro in a time of 2h31m41s. Stenson won Gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Bronze in 2014 and 2018 Games and finished 9^th in the 2017 World Championships.

 

Les Flintoff – 17 Games Richmond 1950-52

Debbie Flintoff-King – Athletics 1984 & 1988 Olympics

Les is the father of Debbie . Debbie competed in the 400m hurdles in 1984 which was the first time it was held. Flintoff-King came 6^th in Los Angeles in 1984 and then in Seoul, Debbie won gold on the last stride in an Olympic Record. Flintoff-King would win Bronze at the 1987 400m hurdles World Championships and won Gold in 400m hurdles in 1982 and 1986 Commonwealth Games and 400 metres in 1986 Commonwealth Games and Silver in 400m hurdles in 1990 Commonwealth Games as well as silver in 4x400m relay in 1982, 1986 and 1990 Commonwealth Games. Debbie carried the torch at Opening Ceremony in 2000 passing it to Cathy Freeman who lit the cauldron.

 

Max Crow – 136 Games Essendon 1974-82, 40 Games St Kilda 1983-85 & 12 Games Footscray 1986

Kim Brennan (Crow) – Rowing 2008, 2012 & 2016 Olympics

Kim is daughter of Max and was initially a hurdler before moving to Rowing. Crow competed in 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished 4^th in the B Final in the Coxless Pairs. In the 2012 LondonOlympics Crow won Bronze in the Single Sculls and Silver in the Double Sculls. In 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Crow won Gold in the single sculls. Crow won Gold also in 2013 and 2015 World Championships in the Single Sculls, Silver in 2014 in the Single Sculls and 2010 & 2011 Double Sculls. Kim’s husband is another rower Scott Brennan who won Gold in Beijing in the Double Sculls.

 

Paul Sproule – 60 Games Essendon 1968-71 & 86 Games Richmond 1972-75, coached Richmond in 1985

Daniel Sproule – Hockey 1996 & 2000 Olympics

Sproule was a defender who won Bronze in 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics. Sproule was a member of the 1998 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Team and 1999 Champions Trophy.

 

David Clarke – 202 Games Geelong 1971-81 & 9 Games Carlton 1982

Georgina Clarke – Athletics 2000 Olympics

Georgie was 16 years old when she competed in the 1500 metres at the Sydney Olympics. Clarke would make the semi finals with a time of 4m10s99. Clarke would compete later in the year at the World Junior Championships in Santiago where she came 2^nd in the 800m and 3^rdin the 1500m. Georgia brothers David and Tim also played AFL in the 2000’s.

 

Stewart Gull – 87 Games South Melbourne 1972-78 & 2 Games Melbourne 1979

Robyn Maher – Basketball 1984, 1988 & 1992 Olympics

Robyn is the brother of Stewart with her father Jim also playing 21 games for South Melbourne. Maher attended three Olympics and only missed 1992 because Australia did not qualify. Australia finished 5^th in 1984, 4^th in 1988 and Maher crowning moment was as captain when they Bronze in 1996. While Robyn was captain her husband Tom was coach of the Opals. Maher played 374 games for Australia with 174 as captain.

 

Jim Forsyth – 29 Games Essendon 1963-67

Tim Forsyth – Athletics 1992, 1996 & 2000 Olympics

Tim is the son of Jim and went to his first Olympics aged 19. Tim won bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with a jump of 2.34. While this was an outstanding effort, he was unlucky it was not better as he only missed Gold on a countback. Gold medal winner Javier Solomeyer from Cuba only won because he cleared 2.34 on his first jump, while the silver medallist cleared it on his second jump as did Forsyth, but Forsyth missed a clearance at 2.31m while the silver medallist did not. Forsyth would come 7^th in Atlanta 1996 with 2.32m and 14^th in Sydney 2000 with 2.24m. His best competition jump was 2.35 when winning Bronze at 1997 World Championships. Forsyth also won Gold at 1994 Commonwealth games.

 

David Hale – 129 Games North Melbourne 2003-10 & 108 Games Hawthorn 2011-15

Ted Hale – Rowing 1976 Olympics

Hale competed in the Single Sculls at the Montreal Olympics making the semifinals. In the Rowing B Final Hale would come second. In various other Rowing events Hale also competed in double sculls, quad sculls, coxless pair, and men’s eight.

 

Daniel Kerr – 220 Games West Coast 2001-13

Samantha Kerr – Football 2016 & 2020 Olympics

Kerr has scored 7 goals in the Olympics. One in 2016 Rio de Janeiro in a 2-2 draw against Germany then in 2021 Tokyo she kicked one goal against New Zeeland in a 2-1 win, 2 against Sweden in a 4-2 loss and then two against Great Britain in 4-3 win in the Quarter Final and then one against USA in Australia 3-4 loss to the USA for the Bronze Medal. Unfortunately, due to a torn ACL Kerr will miss the 2024 Olympics.

 

Jack Clarke – 263 Games Essendon 1951-67, coached Essendon 1968-70

Ron Clarke – Athletics 1964 & 1968 Olympics

Ron was one of Australia’s best ever distance runners in an era of great Australian runners. Clarke lit the cauldron as a  19 year old at his hometown Olympics in 1956 before he had competed in the Olympics. At the 1964 Olympics Clarke competed in the 5000m where he came 9^th and 10000m where he came 3^rd. In 1968 Clarke came 6^th in the 10000m and 9^th in the Men’s Marathon. Clarke would set the World Record four times in the 5000m and twice in the 10000m. Clarke would win silver at the 1962, 1966 and 1970 Commonwealth Games.

 

Jim Edmond – 154 Games Footscray 1977-85, 17 Games Sydney 1986 and 17 Games Brisbane 1987-88

Bob Edmond – Weightlifting 1976 Olympics.

Bob is ten years older than Jim and played 10 games for Carlton between 1967-68. Edmond would compete in the super heavyweight division of the 1976 Montreal Olympics finishing 7^th. Edmond would win Silver at the 1978 and 1982 Commonwealth Games.

 

Mark Mickan – 48 Games Brisbane 1987-1990 & 37 Games Adelaide 1991-93

Patricia Mickan – Basketball 1984 & 1988 Olympics

Mickan was a bench player at 1984 Olympics averaging 2 points a game as Australia finished 7^th. In 1988 Mickan averaged 4 points as Australia were beaten by Russia in the Bronze Medal match 68-53.

 

John Ronaldson – 59 Games Richmond 1965-70

Tony Ronaldson – Basketball 1996 & 2004 Olympics

Ronaldson averaged 10 points a game from the bench at 1996 Olympics and his famous for quarter final match against Croatia where he scored 17 points including a 3 point sealer to give a 73-71 win. Australia would finish 4^th losing to Lithuania 80-74. Ronaldson missed selection in 2000 and had minimal minutes in 2004.

 

Andrew Tranquilli – 12 Games Collingwood 1993-95

Allison Tranquilli (Cooke) – Basketball 1996 & 2004 Olympics

Tranquilli unfortunately missed selection in the 2000 Olympics but as a bench player won a bronze medal in Atlanta and silver medal in Athens. Tranquilli averaged 2 points a game in 1996 and 3 points a game in 2004.

 

Jack Peris – 1 Game St Kilda 2023

Nova Peris – Hockey 1996 Olympics & Athletics 2000 Olympics

Peris was a member of the all conquering Gold Medal Hockey team in Atlanta 1996 becoming the first aboriginal to win a Gold Medal. In 1997 she switched to Athletics and made the semi finals in the 400m and was a member of the 4×400 relay team which finished 5^th. Peris would win Gold in the 1998 Commonwealth games in the 200m and 4x100m relay. Peris was the first Australian to carry the Olympic torch at Uluru when the Olympic flame reached Australia in 2000.

 

Austin Bradtke – Rookie List Melbourne 2021-23

Mark Bradtke – Basketball 1988, 1992, 1996 & 2000 Olympics

Nicole Bradtke (Provis)  – Tennis 1992 & 1996 Olympics

Mark averaged four points a game as a backup big man at the 1988 Olympics. In 1992 Bradtke was starting power forward and averaged 12 points per game and did the same again in 1996 as starting  centre with Luc Longley injured. In 2000 Bradtke was back as starting power forward averaging 8 points per game. Australia finished 4^th in 1988, 1996 & 2000 Olympics and 6^th in 1992.

Nicole made the second round in the singles in 1992 losing to Belgian Sabine Appelman. Nicole would win Bronze in the doubles pairing with Rachel McQuillan. Nicole lost to Croatian Iva Majoli in the singles first round in 1996 and lost in the first to the Chinese pair in the doubles when paired with Rennae Stubbs.

 

Cameron McKenzie-McHarg – Pick 10 1998 Pre Season Draft Western Bulldogs 0 Games

Rowing 2008 & 2012 Olympics

McKenzie-McHarg was a member of Australia silver medal Coxless Four at the 2008 BeijingOlympics. In 2012 McKenzie-McHarg was in Men’s eight where the team 6^th.

 

James Tomkins – Pick 27 1988 Pre Season Draft Melbourne (0 Games)

Rowing 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004 & 2008

Tomkins is recognised as one of Australia all team great and most popular Olympians. Tomkins competed in six Olympics, medalled in four Olympics, and carried the flag at the 2008 Olympics. Tomkins was in the Men’s eight in 1988 finished 5^th. In 1992 & 1996 he won gold in Coxless Four in the hugely popular Oarsome Foursome. In 2000 he won Bronze with Matthew Long in the Coxless Pair and won another Gold in 2004 with fellow Oarsome Foursome Drew Ginn in the Coxless Pair and then in 2008 came 6^th in the Men’s Eight. Tomkins also won seven gold medals in World Championships.

 

Mark Blicavs – 262 Games Geelong 2013-

Sara Blicavs – Basketball 2020 Olympics

Andris Blicavs – Basketball 1976 Olympics

Mark goes from a basketball with his Dad Andris competing in the 1976 Olympics, his Mum representing Australia in 1983 World Championships, sister Sara at 2021 Tokyo Olympics and brother Kris plays domestic basketball. Mark himself just missed out on qualifying for 2012 Olympics in the steeplechase. Andris averaged 10 points a game at the Montreal Olympics where Australia finished 8^th. Sara averaged 2 points a game at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

 

Martin Bolger – 185 Games Richmond 1930-39

Tom Bolger – Wrestling 1928 Olympics

Tom competed in Amsterdam in the freestyle middleweight but was defeated in his only two contests against a Swiss competitor and a South African.

 

Dean Brogan – 174 Games Port Adelaide 2000-11 & 19 Games GWS 2012-13

Michelle Brogan – Basketball 1996 & 2000 Olympics

Michelle is the older sister of Dean and won Bronze in Atlanta and Silver in Sydney. Michelle was a starting forward in 1996 Olympics and averaged 8 points a game while in 2000 Michelle averaged 4 points per game.

 

Michael Byrne – 56 Games Melbourne 1977-82, 90 Games Hawthorn 1982-86 & 21 Games Sydney 1987-89

Canadian Woman Rugby 7 Coach 2020 Olympics

Byrne has worked in Rugby since 1998 firstly with the Brumbies as a skills coach then 1999 with the Wallabies as a kicking coach in their World Cup winning campaign. Byrne has then worked in South Africa in 2001, Scotland from 2002-05, New Zealand 2005-15, Australia again 2016-19. Byrne joined a team in USA as Directo of Rugby in 2020 but this stint was cut short due to Covid and Byrne was appointed interim coach of Canadian Woman Rugby 7 team at the Tokyo Olympics, where they won one match. Byrne has worked in Fiji since 2021 and was appointed head coach of the men’s national team in 2024.

 

Fred Davies – 125 Games Carlton 1941 & 1946-52

Ian Davies – Basketball 1980 & 1984 Olympics

Davies played 252 games for Australia and in Moscow 1980 where he was Australia’s top scorer averaging 29 point a game with a best of 36 points against Czechoslovakia and India. In 1984 Davies averaged 16 points a game. Australia finished 8^th in 1980 and 7^th in 1984.

 

Steve Goulding – 2 Games North Melbourne 1981

Chris Goulding – Basketball 2016 & 2020 Olympics

Goulding was part of Australia history making bronze medal team in Tokyo 2021. In 2016 Goulding was a bench player averaging 4 points a game and 4 points a game in Tokyo 2021. Goulding won Gold at 2018 Commonwealth Games and was in the initial squad for the 2024 Olympics before being cut for the squad of 12.

 

Glynn Hewitt – 15 Games Richmond 1973-74

Lleyton Hewitt – Tennis 2000, 2008 & 2012 Olympics.

Lleyton was the 4^th seed in his hometown Olympics in 2000 but was defeated in the first round by Belarusian Max Mirnyi. Hewitt did not compete in 2004 and in 2008 he won the first round over Jonas Bjorkman but lost to Rafael Nadal in the second round. Hewitt also played doubles in 2008 with Chris Guccione where they made it to the third round before losing to the Bryan brothers in the third round. In 2012 Hewitt beat Sergiy Stakhovsky in the first round and Marin Cilic in the second round before losing to Novak Djokovic. Hewitt would play mixed doubles with Samantha Stosur and make it to the quarter finals before losing to Andy Murray and Laura Robson.

 

Allen Lewis – 3 Games Richmond 1944

Greg Lewis – Athletics 1968 Olympics

Lewis ran in the 100m and 200m in the 1968 Olympics. Lewis came 6^th in time of 10.55 in his heat of the 100m and did not advance any further. In the 200m Lewis won his heat in time of 20.71 and came second in his quarter final in time of 20.81 before coming 5^th and missing out of the final in time of 20.53. Greg married a Commonwealth Games High Jumper Carolyn Wright, and their daughter is Tamsyn Lewis (now Manou) who ran in 800m and 4x400m relay at the 2000, 2004 & 2008 Olympics.

 

Oleg Markov – 23 Games Richmond 2016-20, 28 Games Gold Coast 2021-22 & 34 Games Collingwood 2023-

Dmitri Markov – Athletics 1996 & 2000 Olympics

Markov is a Pole Vaulter who  competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for Belarus and finished 6^th with a jump of 5.86m. Markov became an Australian citizen in 1999 and competed Sydney where he came equal 5^th with 5.80m. Markov missed 2004 Olympics due to injury. Markov would win Gold at 2001 World Championships with 6.05m and come second in 1999 with 5.85m and second at Melbourne Commonwealth games in 2006 with 5.60m

 

Gerard Neesham – 9 Games Sydney 1982 & Fremantle coach 1995-1998

David  Neesham – Water Polo 1972, 1976 & 1980 Olympics

Neesham competed in three Olympics where Australia finished 12^th in 1972, 11^th in 1976 and 7^th in 1980. Neesham acted as a referee at the 2000 Olympics.

 

Tyrone Vickery – 119 Games Richmond 2009-16 & 6 Games Hawthorn 2017

Arina Rodionova – Tennis 2016 Olympics

Arina wife of Tyrone played doubles with her sister Anastasia but were defeated by Russian Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the first round.

 

Peter Weightman – 1 Game Fitzroy 1969

Lisa Weightman – Athletics 2008, 2012, 2016 & 2020 Olympics

Weightman has competed in four Olympics and even at the age of 45 this year Weightman qualified for Paris but with several others qualifying she missed selection. Weightman came 33^rd in 2008 in 2h34m16s,  she came 17^th in 2012 in 2h27m32s, in 2016 she came 31^st in time of 2h34m41s and 26^th in Tokyo in time of 2h34m19s.

 

Werner Reiterer – Athletics 1988 & 1992 Olympics

Reiterer was a discus thrower who came 15^th in Seoul 1988 and 10^th Barcelona in 1992. Reiterer was a supplementary player for Essendon reserves in 1996 aged 27.

Neil Craig – Adelaide Coach from 2004-2011 166 Games

Craig worked with Australia’s Cycling coach Charlie Walsh at the 1996 & 2000 Olympics in the field of Sports Science and Psychology. Craig had a fitness background and a degree in Sports Science.

 

John Cahill –  Collingwood Coach 1983-84, Port Adelaide coach 1997-98 & 10 time Premiership Coach in SANFL

Darren Cahill – Tennis 1988 Olympics

Cahill won the first round  against Austrian Alex Antonitsch at the Seoul Olympics before losing to American Robert Seguso in the second round. In the doubles Cahill teamed up with John Fitzgerald where they made the quarter finals before losing to Swedes Stefan Edberg and Anders Jarryd.

 

Ric Charlesworth – High Performance Consultant Fremantle 2001-02

Hockey – 1972, 1976, 1984 & 1988 Olympics, Coach of Woman’s Team 1996 & 2000 Olympics and Men’s Team 2012 Olympics

Australia came 5^th in 1972, won a silver medal at 1976 Olympics, as captain finished 4^th in 1984 and 4^th again in 1988. In 1988 Charlesworth carried the flag at 1988 Opening Ceremony. Charlesworth as guided the women’s team to Gold in 1996 & 2000 Olympics and in this time, Australia had a 41 game winning streak. Charlesworth also coached the Men’s Olympic Team in 2012 guiding Australia to Olympic Bronze. He did coach the Men’s team to World Championship in 2014 before resigning. Charlesworth also played 47 matches for Western Australia from 1972-79 averaging 30. Charlesworth was also a state member of Parliament from 1983-1993.

 

Leon Wiegard – Fitzroy President 1986-1991

Water Polo 1964 & 1972 Olympics

Leon is brother to Keith who was also Fitzroy president and competed at the Olympics. Australia lost both its matches to Soviet Union and Germany in 1964 and in 1972 Australia finished 12^th where Leon played with David Neesham.

 

Herb Elliott – Richmond Board Member 2001-04 approx.

Athletics 1960 Olympics

Elliott is an Australia middle distance running legend who retired at the age of 22. Elliott won Gold in Rome 1960 in the 1500 in 3m41s50. At the time Elliott was the world record holder. Elliott bought the Olympic torch into the stadium for the 2000 Olympics.

 

Samantha Riley – Gold Coast Board Member 2016-23

Swimming 1992 & 1996 Olympics

Riley won Bronze in the 100m Breaststroke at 1992 Barcelona Olympics but did not make the final in the 200m breaststroke. Riley was in the 4×100 medley relay team that came 7^th. In 1996 Riley came third again in the 100m Breaststroke final and 4^th in the 200m breaststroke final and got a silver medal in the 4×100 medley relay.

 

Ian Campbell – Richmond CEO 2003-04

Athletics 1980 Olympics

Campbell competed in the Triple Jump in 1980 Moscow Olympics coming fifth with a jump of 16.72 with the winner jumping 17.35. Campbell only had one legal jump from six with one of his jumps that reached 17.43 deemed illegal due to scraping. Australia was upset with this decision and appealed it and appealed again up until 2015to request a Gold Medal.

 

Tracey Gaudry (Watson) – Hawthorn CEO 2017

Cycling 1996 & 2000 Olympics

Gaudry raced in the Woman individual road race coming 39^th  in Atlanta 1996 & 23^rd in Sydney 2000 and in 2000 also raced in the Woman’s Individual Time Trial coming 21^st.

 

Don Hanly – St Kilda CEO 1997-200 & Carlton 2001-02

Athletics 1996 Olympics

Hanly competed in 4×400 relay Montreal Olympics where Australia came 5^th in the same final.

 

Nicole Livingstone – AFLW Manager 2017-2023

Swimming 1988, 1992 & 1996 Olympics

Livingstone finished 7^th in 100m Backstroke in Seoul 1988, 5^th in the 200m Backstroke and 6^thin 4×100 Medley relay. In 1992 Livingstone came 4^th in the 100m Backstroke and won Bronze in the 200m backstroke and was in the 4x100m Medley Relay which came 7^th. In Atlanta 1996 Livingstone came 7^th in the 100m backstroke but did not make the final in the 200m backstroke before winning silver in the 4×100 medley relay.

 

Peter Burge – Physical Performance Manager Richmond 2012-2022 and Hawthorn 2023-

Athletics 2000 Olympics

Burge was a long jumper who came 6^th with a best of 8.15 at the 2000 Olympics in the same event Australian Jumping Jai Taurima won Silver Medal. Burge won gold at 1998 Commonwealth Games.

 

Glynis Nunn-Cearns – Sprint Coach Brisbane Lions 1999-2001 approx.

Athletics 1984 Olympics

Glynis Nunn won Gold Medal in the Heptathlon in 1984 Olympics coming from behind to beat Jackie Joyner Kersee by 5 points. Nunn also ran in the 100 metre hurdle finishing 5^th.

 

 

 

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