Tag: Paris Olympics

The Kenmore Contribution To The 4x100m Olympic Relays Launches

Between 5:34 a.m. and 5:50 a.m. on Sunday morning, Kenmore may have contributed 2 Gold Medals to the Paris Olympics. Well, that’s the dream anyway.

Read: Lilly Meldrum: Kenmore SHS Snooker Prodigy

Jack Cartwright, the 25-year-old former pupil of Old Lady of the Rosary School as well as the world’s most successful swimming school, St Peters Lutheran, will make his Olympic debut in the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay.

Having been a finalist in the World Championships in 2017 at 18 years of age, it has been a long time coming.

The 2023 World Championships team in Fukuoka of Cartwright, Flynn Southam, Kai Taylor and Kyle Chalmers grabbed Gold in 3:10.16 from the Italian team and the USA team. However Kyle Chalmers will be the only sub-48-second swimmer amongst the Australian team. Team USA will have a quartet of sub-48-second athletes in their team and the competition for the medals will be very high.

On Saturday 27 July from 7:00 p.m. Brisbane time, the Mens 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay heats will be the sixth event on the program. The Final will be at 5:44 a.m. Brisbane time, the following morning on Sunday, 28 July.

The Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay heats will also begin on the 7:00 p.m. program Saturday evening, 27 July. The final will be 5:34 a.m.

By comparison, the Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay team will go into the event with massive confidence. The Women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay and the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay could be considered the two very best chances of Gold both in the pool and across the full sporting event program.

Bronte Campbell, ex-student of Kenmore State High School, will carry the Campbell family’s hopes in the 4 x 100. This will be her fourth Olympics and the first without her sister Cate, who has now retired from the sport.

Read: Kenmore’s Olympic Hero Cate Campbell Announces Retirement

So we can be confident that Kenmore will secure at least one Gold by 5:50 a.m. on Sunday, but could Cartwright and his team make it two?

Stan Sports will have a dedicated channel showing all the Swimming events live.

Bronte Campbell and the 4x100 Women's Freestyle Relay Schedule
Jack Cartwright and the 4x100 Men's Freestyle Relay Schedule

Bellbowrie Local Jayden Brown Rides His Way to Paris 2024

Jayden Brown, a talented equestrian from Bellbowrie, is poised to represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This achievement marks a significant milestone in his dressage career, which has been characterised by dedication, natural talent, and a deep connection with his horses.

Read: Kenmore’s Olympic Hero Cate Campbell Announces Retirement

Brown’s journey to Olympic qualification has been impressive. Earlier this year, he secured two top-six finishes at a Grand Prix event in Wellington, UK. Riding Sky Diamond, he placed fifth with a score of 69.969 percent, while aboard Willingapark Quincy B, he finished sixth, scoring 69.478 percent. Both performances met the qualifying standards for the Paris Olympics.

Growing up in Bellbowrie with three older sisters who were all equestrians, Brown was immersed in the world of horse riding from an early age. His formal training began at 13 when he met Jenny Gehrke, one of Australia’s leading riders and coaches, at a pony club. This encounter sparked a two-decade-long mentorship that has been instrumental in shaping Brown’s career.

Brown with his mentor and friend Jenny Gehrke (Photo credit: Jayden Brown/Instagram)

Gehrke speaks highly of her protégé, noting his “great natural position and a great feel and empathy for his horses.” This innate ability has been evident throughout Brown’s career, from his early days competing on his horse Widelo in the World Young Rider championships to his recent successes on the international stage.

Brown’s pursuit of excellence led him to train with Canadian Olympian Leonie Bramall, both in Australia and Europe. This experience broadened his skills and exposed him to top-level international competition. His talent was further showcased when he finished 14th at the World Young Horse Championships in Verden, Germany, riding San Andreas.

Over the years, the 36-year-old dressage rider has divided his time between Australia and Europe, competing on various horses and continually honing his craft. His current success is attributed to the strong partnerships he has formed with his horses, particularly Quincy B and Sky Diamond.

Photo credit: Jayden Brown/Instagram

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Brown expressed gratitude to his supporters, especially Terry and Ginette Snow and the Willinga Park team. He acknowledged the crucial role played by all the horses in his career, with special mention to Quincy B and Sky Diamond for their outstanding performances in securing Olympic qualification.

As Brown prepares for the Paris Olympics, he reflects on the journey with pride and appreciation. “We have officially closed off our qualifying campaign for Paris,” he wrote, “and whatever comes next, I’m super proud of my horses.”

Read: Kenmore Stars Bronte Campbell, Jack Cartwright, and Jaclyn Barclay Shine at 2024 Australian Swimming Trials

With his natural talent, years of dedicated training, and strong bonds with his equine partners, Jayden Brown stands as a promising contender in the upcoming Olympics. 

Published 12-July-2024

Kenmore Swim Star Cate Campbell Ends Olympic Bid with Emotional Farewell

Kenmore pays tribute to hometown swimming legend and Kenmore State High School alumna Cate Campbell as she makes a graceful exit after narrowly missing out on qualifying for her fifth Olympic Games. The talented swimmer has collected eight Olympic medals across four previous Olympics.

Read: Kenmore Olympian Cate Campbell Advocates for Period Supplies at Public Hospitals

In a night filled with high emotions, Cate’s storied career came to a close without the fairytale ending she had hoped for. Despite a world-class performance, timing in at 24.76 seconds and finishing in 7th place in the 50-m freestyle, she acknowledged the significant achievement of her competitors, who paused their celebrations to share a poignant moment with her.

Sister’s Success

Meanwhile, Cate’s sister, Bronte, also a Kenmore State High School alumna, secured her place in the 4x100m freestyle relay, marking her fourth Olympic appearance.

The Australian Olympic Swimming Trials concluded with the announcement of a 41-person swimming team for the Paris Olympics. The team features a mix of seasoned athletes and 22 debutants, including Olympic veterans such as Kyle Chalmers and Emma McKeon.

Emotional Farewell

Reflecting on her career, Cate expressed deep gratitude for the journey and the people she’s encountered along the way. From her beginnings as a 9-year-old budding talent in the Brisbane Aquatic Centre to her final race, she feels privileged to conclude her career meaningfully, surrounded by friends, family, and fans.

Shayna Jack and Meg Harris, who secured their individual Olympic spots during the trials, honoured Cate by delaying their victory celebrations. Their tribute highlighted Cate’s influence and legacy in Australian swimming. Shayna, having won the 50m freestyle final, and Meg, making her first individual Olympic berth, exemplified the rising generation of Australian sprinters.

On the support from competitors: “The fact there were two girls who qualified for an Olympic Games, which is no mean feat, one of them for her first individual spot in Meg Harris — that they put their celebrations on hold and came over is one of the most incredible moments and something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”

Cate Campbell: Legacy of a Champion

Cate’s impact on the sport extends beyond her own achievements. As a former world record holder and a multiple Olympic medalist, her career has inspired a new generation of swimmers. Her presence at the trials was a momentous occasion for both fans and fellow competitors, who expressed their admiration and respect for her contributions to Australian swimming.

On her career and the farewell: “Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. I would have loved to have that fairytale ending more than anything else. But I can now sit back and reflect on a wonderful career. I can leave the sport with my head held really high.”

Reflecting on her emotional journey: “It’s bitter-sweet. I had hoped for the fairytale ending and it’s what I had worked for and what I felt I was capable of, and unfortunately my body just said ‘no’.”

On her final moments in the pool: “This is the end, and it’s a perfect way to exit the pool. My first major competition was in this swimming pool, maybe over 20 years ago. I warmed up in this pool just behind us for the first time as a nine-year-old and tonight I warmed up in it as a 32-year-old, and I got to walk out and swim in a swimming pool that I’ve competed in so many times, that I’ve qualified for teams in, that I’ve broken world records in.”

A Look Ahead

As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, the Australian swimming team looks robust with a blend of experience and fresh talent. The trials have not only marked the end of an era with the retirement of Cate Campbell but also the beginning of promising careers for Australia’s future swimming stars.

Read: Why Australia’s First Gold at Tokyo Olympics is Not Just a Stroke of Luck

Here’s the Australian Olympic swimming team for Paris:  

  • Sprinters and Relay Specialists: Kyle Chalmers, Emma McKeon, Bronte Campbell, Shayna Jack, Meg Harris
  • IM Swimmers: Brendon Smith, Will Petric, Jenna Forrester, Ella Ramsay
  • Distance Freestyle: Lani Pallister, Moesha Johnson
  • Others: Iona Anderson, Ben Armbruster, Jaclyn Barclay, Jack Cartwright, Abbey Connor, Isaac Cooper, Lizzie Dekkers, Max Giuliani, Zac Incerti, Se-Bom Lee, Cameron McEvoy, Kaylee McKeown, Thomas Neill, Mollie O’Callaghan, Alex Perkins, Jamie Perkins, Sam Short, Flynn Southam, Jenna Strauch, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Kai Taylor, Matt Temple, Brianna Throssell, Ariarne Titmus, Sam Williamson, Brad Woodward, Olivia Wunsch, Elijah Winnington, William Yang, Joshua Yong

Published 17-June-2024