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OLYMPIC GLORY FOR ST PETERS OLD SCHOLARS
The 2024 Paris Olympics was a proud moment for the College, as ten Old Scholars and two current students demonstrated their athletic prowess at the Games, inspiring future generations. Under the guidance of Dolphins Coach and St Peters Swimming Head Coach Dean Boxall, St Peters swimmers alone brought home ten medals, smashed three Olympic records, and set a new Australian record.
Mollie O'Callaghan (2022) emerged as Australia's standout athlete at the Paris Olympics, winning three gold medals, a silver and a bronze. She set a new Olympic record in the Women's 200m Freestyle and contributed to record-breaking performances in the Women's 4x100m and 4x200m Freestyle relays.
Reflecting on her experience, Mollie shared, "The Olympics in Paris was definitely an intense experience, and honestly, it was way more stressful than I expected. Standing on the podium multiple times, representing my country, was something I'll never forget. Seeing my parents during my walk around the pool, I honestly teared up. All the hard work, their support, and the dedication from my whole team went into that moment."
Ariarne Titmus (2018) claimed gold in the Women's 400m Freestyle and silver in the 800m Freestyle, setting a personal best for the latter event and a new Australian record. In the Women's 200m Freestyle final, Ariarne swam head-to-head with teammate Mollie, winning silver and marking Australia's first 1-2 Olympic finish since Athens 2004. She also raced in the Women's 4 x 200m Freestyle relay team that set a new Olympic record.
Several other Old Scholars made their mark, too: Jamie Perkins (2022), Kai Taylor (2021), Ella Ramsay (2022), and Jack Cartwright (2015) all medalled in their debut relay events, while Eve Thomas (2018) represented New Zealand, reaching the Women's 4x200m Freestyle final. On the athletics track, Torrie Lewis (2022), a national
100m record holder, reached the semi-finals in the 200m sprint in her Olympic debut. The Olympics is the ultimate test of sporting excellence and often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent one's country. These athletes' dedication, determination and achievements exemplify sporting excellence, making St Peters and St Peters Old Scholars Association immensely proud. Congratulations to all!
Article by: Amanda Osborne, Alumni & Archives Officer
