With the London 2012 Olympic Games about to commence, a group of Bondies, past and present, will be there to take on the international sporting community and are anticipated to bring home medals with pride.
Several Bondies are also playing an integral part in the Games by working with the organising committees and the Australian Olympic Team at the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
The Bond University community wishes the following Bondies the best of luck in their events and roles at the London 2012 Olympic Games:
James Roberts – Swimming (100m Men’s Freestyle, 4 x 100m Men’s Freestyle relay)
As the second fastest male sprinter on the Australian swimming team, James Roberts is set to break records in his Olympic debut. The Bachelor of Business and St Andrew’s alumnus first made headlines in 2009 when he beat Eamon Sullivan’s world record, touching in at 50.03 seconds for 100m freestyle at the AIS’ International swim meet time trial.
Jade Neilson – Swimming (4 x 200m Women’s Freestyle relay)
All Saints alumnus Jade Neilson will have all of Australia cheering in the 4 x 200m Women’s Freestyle relay. Beginning her Bachelor of Sports Management last year, Jade has managed to juggle her intense Games preparation training schedule with her studies through the Bond’s flexible program delivery.
Ky Hurst – Swimming (10km Open Water Swim)
This is the second Games for Ky Hurst who competed in Beijing in 2008. One of the first two athletes selected for the 2012 Australian Olympic team, Bachelor of Property and Sustainable Development alumnus Ky Hurst will compete in the 10km Open Water Swim.
Annabelle Williams – Swimming (Paralympic S9 Division 50m and 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly)
International Relations and Law graduate Annabelle Williams competed in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and will be taking on London in a variety of swimming events.
Mathew Belcher – Sailing
Sailing his Olympic debut in the Men’s 470 with the current Olympic Gold medallist from Beijing Malcolm Page, Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) alumnus and TSS old boy Mathew Belcher has experienced the Games like no other. After winning the 420 World Championships in 2000, he was given the distinction of carrying the Olympic flag during the 2000 Sydney Olympics closing ceremony and is a strong medal contender at the year’s Games.
Courtney Atkinson – Triathlon (Men’s Individual Triathlon)
Courtney Atkinson will compete in the Individual Men’s triathlon event. The Bachelor of Commerce alumnus competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics finishing 11th as the highest placing Australian male.
Joining the athletes in London is a selection of alumni who have secured positions as part of the executive management team for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and operations team for the London Organising Committee Olympic Games (LOCOG).
Two Law alumni have crucial roles to play; Fiona de Jong is the Director of Sport for the AOC and Chris Fydler is Deputy Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team.
Five months since graduating with his Bachelor of Sports Management, Dan Watson cannot believe he is at the coalface of elite sporting events.
Working in the Main Operations Centre Dan is the HQ Transport Coordinator and is in charge of ensuring LOCOG directors’ safe travel between all venues during Games Time.
“My role is essentially to source, organise and manage a team of professional chauffeurs to transport the Directors of Games Operations and Games Readiness to the various venues throughout London,” he said.
“It is a crucial logistical role to play and means I am meeting many high-profiled sporting personalities as well as visiting all the Olympic sites. I still can’t quite believe that I am here. This experience is incredible, the atmosphere is electric, and there is action everywhere.
“I chose to study sports management at Bond because the program had strong links between theory and practice. That practical focus has certainly prepared me for this role.
“To start my career with this experience, making these international connections is incredible and will certainly open doors in the future.
“I hope to be at the Aquatic Centre when James and Jade compete to cheer on my fellow Bondies,” he said.