With the Paris Olympics drawing to a close last Sunday, I congratulate the athletes that have done our region and country proud.
It was incredible to watch as Australia recorded its best result ever result placing fourth with 18 gold medals and 53 medals in total.
Among the tally was Camperdown shooter Penny Smith, who won bronze in the women’s trap.
No doubt the town was buzzing with the news of Penny’s bronze and local cyclist Grace Brown riding to victory for gold in the women’s cycling time trial.
Penny was born in Geelong, so I think it is only fair we too congratulate her on an achievement that few people ever attain.
Several other Olympians with a Geelong connection also put in an outstanding effort throughout the Games.
Former Geelong Grammar student and Supercats player Jock Landale averaged 14.5 points and 8.8 rebounds a game for the Boomers, who went down fighting to bronze-medallists Serbia in the quarter finals.
Fellow Grammar alumni Lauren Ryan made the final of the women’s 10km run placing 13th overall.
Geelong rower Angus Widdicombe was part of the men’s eight team that beat their final time at Tokyo by almost five seconds to place sixth in the final at Paris.
Geelong born-and-bred sprinter Mia Gross placed 32nd overall in her debut Olympics in the women’s 200m.
The 23-year-old was almost half a second off her personal best and hopefully we’ll get to see her improve at Los Angeles in 2028.
Same for 28-year-old high jumper Joel Baden, who finished 27th overall and was 18cm off his PB of 2.33m.
Other athletes at Paris 2024 with a connection to our region included Matilda’s midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross, boxer Marissa Williamson Pohlman and rower Ria Thompson.
All of these Olympians showed remarkable resilience, determination and dedication in both training for and competing at the Games.
I hope their efforts will inspire the next generation of athletes and sportspeople training and competing at facilities across Greater Geelong.
In a boost to these young athletes, upgrades are progressing well at our city’s best-known athletics track – Landy Field.
In early August workers finished removing the old asphalt beneath the track and they completed laying new asphalt last week.
The asphalt will be left to cure for 28 days with minor works such as the installation of synthetic grass taking place.
Specialist contractors will then begin laying the rubber surface in September, pending favourable weather conditions.
The renewal of the track will allow Landy Field to retain its World Athletics Class 2 accreditation.
The $1.5 million project, fully funded by Council, will also include relocating the hammer throw and discuss cage to allow more events to run simultaneously.
And this is just the beginning for Landy Field, with design work set to get underway soon for a new two-storey pavilion, a new grandstand and other improvements.
Council and the Victorian government each contributed $5 million to the upcoming redevelopment, with construction anticipated to start in mid to late 2025.
These upgrades will be fantastic for athletics clubs across Greater Geelong.
And who knows, those competing on the new track at the redeveloped Landy Field could end up being Geelong’s next Olympians at Los Angeles 2028.
