Lanihei Connolly had to cross oceans to realise her Olympic dream.
Just like her cousin before her.
The swimmer from the Cook Islands, a nation that doesn’t have an Olympic sized pool, did her junior training in New Zealand before joining the Bond University swimming program on a World Aquatics Scholarship.
The Bachelor of Biomedical Science student is the sixth swimmer from Bond selected to compete at the Paris Olympics where she will represent The Cook Islands in the 100m Breaststroke.
The 18-year-old has been training at Bond University since December 2023 under head coach, Chris Mooney who also oversaw the successful qualification of Syrian Omar Abbass.
“It’s been amazing training under Chris, he ensures you really love swimming,” Connolly said.
“At Bond my swimming has really improved, I think just training alongside such high-level athletes pushes you to that higher level.”
Connolly was inspired to start swimming competitively after watching her cousin Zachary Payne represent The Cook Islands at the 2012 London Olympics.
“I remember watching the television and seeing Zach swim for the Cook Islands, I would’ve been eight at the time,” Connolly said.
Her Olympic dreams started to become a reality when she was selected to represent The Cook Islands at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
“Representing the Cook Islands at the Comm Games, pushed me to keep training knowing Paris was just around the corner,” Connolly said.
Connolly will be one of two swimmers who The Cook Islands will send to compete at the Paris La Defense Arena.
“There isn’t even an Olympic sized pool in the Cook Islands, most training happens in the ocean,” said Connolly.
“I want to bring light to The Cook Islands, I feel very privilege to represent my heritage.
“My dream would to be to make the finals at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.”
Her proud parents Brendon and Jasmine will be there to cheer her on while her on campus her adopted family, Bond QAFLW players, Maisy Evans and Sarah Heptinstall and Bull Sharks Sapphire team netballer Kaylin Van Greunen will be glued to the television in the Bond Sports House where the scholarship athletes are flatmates.