Sydney Uni Sport is thrilled to see 25 of our athletes selected to represent their country at the Olympic Games which are being held in Paris between 26 July – 11 August.
Each athlete’s selection is a source of great satisfaction for all of their support networks, including the University of Sydney of which 19 have studied, as well as the Sydney Uni sporting clubs and coaches for whom they have competed. Significantly, their selection is also a ringing endorsement of our fantastic Elite Athlete Program (EAP) which has supported more than 60% of our athletes.
Stay up-to-date on our athlete’s schedules and results via the Athlete Tracker below.
(The Paralympics will be held between 28 August – 8 September, with teams still to be announced)
Michelle Jenneke OLY is a Bachelor of Engineering graduate and Elite Athlete Program alumna. Michelle is the Club Captain of the Sydney University Athletic Club, and a 7-time World Championship semi-finalist and the 2nd fastest All Time Australian in the 100m Hurdles, she has a personal best of 12.66 (NSW Record). Michelle has represented at 3 Commonwealth Games, 5 World Championships, and 3 World Indoor Championships, having missed out on selection at the Tokyo Olympics due to injury, Michelle is back for her second games in Paris.
- 6.15pm, Weds 7 Aug – Women’s 100m Hurdles Round 1
- 6.35pm, Thurs 8 Aug – Women’s 100m Hurdles Repechage Round
After missing out on selection for the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, K1 paddler Tim Anderson never gave up. Tim was crowned the Oceania champion after finishing as the best-placed paddler from the region with an equal fourth at the Oceania canoe slalom titles in early 2024. A week later he nailed down his place in Paris when he finished fifth in the K1 at the Australian Open. He also won the kayak cross event at the same competition. Tim is a Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science graduate and former member of the Elite Athlete Program competing in the Canoe Slalom event.
- 11pm, Sat 27 July – Men’s Canoe Single Heats 1st Run
- 1.10am, Sun 28 July – Men’s Canoe Single Heats 2nd Run
In 2013, Aisyah put her career aside to pursue her rowing goals by going on a solo trip to Sydney to train and compete with the Sydney University Boat Club and Coach, Alan Bennett. In doing so, she clinched Singapore’s first individual Gold medal in Rowing at the 23rd SEA Games in Myanmar. Although facing months of injuries and downfalls thereafter, she managed to pick herself back up and reached her ultimate goal of qualifying for the Rio Olympics, making history again as Singapore’s first rower to qualify for the Games. The Paris Olympics marks Aisyah’s second games.
Rowena Meredith OLY, an Olympic medallist and Sydney University Boat Club member, began her international rowing career in 2015, winning silver at the U23 World Championships in the Women’s Four. She joined Rowing Australia’s National Training Centre and secured second place in the 2017 World Cup Rowing II with the senior quad sculls team. Rowena also won silver at the 2017 U23 World Championships and earned podium finishes at subsequent World Rowing Cups. At the Tokyo Olympics, she claimed bronze in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls. Rowena continued competing internationally in 2022 and 2023, overcoming challenges to secure a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade.
Tara Rigney OLY, a Bachelor of Commerce student and Sydney University Boat Club member, shifted from netball to rowing after two ACL injuries. Joining the women’s national training center in 2021, she debuted in the Tokyo Olympics, finishing seventh in the women’s double scull. That year, she also became the National Champion in Women’s Single and Double Scull and won the Nell Slater Cup. In 2022, Tara won bronze at the World Rowing Championships and World Rowing Cup II, silver at World Cup III, and was named Sydney University Sportswoman of the Year. In 2023, she secured her second national single scull title, won silver at World Cup III, and was a finalist in the Princess Grace Cup. In 2024, Tara won her third national single scull crown and claimed silver at the World Rowing Cup II, making her a strong contender for a podium finish in Paris.
Mackenzie Little OLY is a Doctor of Medicine graduate, member of the Sydney University Athletic Club and the 2023 USYD Sportswomen of the Year. She has a PB of 65.70m and reached the finals at the Tokyo Olympics. Mackenzie is the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver medallist in the Javelin, and a World Championships bronze medallist in 2023, an Olympic medal in Paris could make it a trifecta.
- 6.25pm, Weds 7 Aug – Women’s Javelin Throw Qualification-Gp A
- 7.50pm, Weds 7 Aug -Women’s Javelin Throw Qualification-Gp B
Noemie Fox, a Bachelor of Arts – Media and Communications graduate, secured her spot at her first Olympics, joining her sister, Olympic gold medallist Jessica Fox, on the Australian Canoe team. Jessica, also a USYD alumna, had already qualified for the Paris Olympics, but with only one spot per country available for the C1 and K1 events, Noemie’s chance to qualify was at the Kayak Cross Global Qualification Tournament in Prague in early June, where three Olympic spots were available. Noemie claimed a silver medal and secured her spot for Paris. As well as Jess, Noemie’s Olympian parents will also be in tow in Paris, father Richard and mother Myriam who is also her coach.
Jack Hargreaves, an Olympic Gold Medallist and member of the Sydney University Boat Club, has been selected for his second Olympic Games. Jack first competed internationally in 2013 in the Men’s Eight at the World Rowing U23 Championship and won silver in the Men’s Pair in 2014. After missing the 2016 Rio selection, he joined the men’s National Training Centre and went on to win gold at World Rowing Cups II and III, and the World Championships in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, he helped the Men’s Four qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where they won gold. Jack continued his success with the men’s four in 2022 and 2023, earning one gold and four silvers in six events. In 2024, Jack and his Tokyo gold medallist teammates Alexander Purnell and Spencer Turrin joined the men’s eight team to pursue Australia’s first gold in the event.
Joseph ‘Jack’ O’Brien OLY a member of the Sydney University Boat Club has had a rollercoaster career. Starting as a talented rower in school, he represented NSW at the youth level and then Australia at the U23 World Championships, securing a senior spot in 2019. That year, he won gold in the men’s four at the World Rowing Cups II and III, and helped qualify the boat for the 2020 Olympics. By the time the games were held, Jack was selected in the men’s eight that finished sixth, instead of the four. He returned to success in 2022 with the men’s four where the crew claimed a dominant win at the World Rowing Cup II before back-to-back second place finishes at the World Rowing Cup III and World Championships. In 2023, after narrowly missing selection for the men’s four, he claimed bronze in the Men’s Pair at the World Rowing Cup II before returning to the Men’s Eight and winning gold at the World Rowing Cup III. Throughout 2024, he has continued to compete in the Men’s Eight who claimed fourth place at the World Rowing Cup II in May.
Evelyn Haseldine, a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) student and member of the Elite Athlete Program, has teamed up with Sydney Uni alumna Olivia Price OLY to campaign in the Olympic women’s skiff, the 49erFX. In 2022, they placed third at the Almere Hempel World Cup just six months after joining forces. In 2023, as the top Australian team in the Palma and Hyeres World Cups, they placed 10th at the Paris 2024 Olympic Test Event and won a bronze medal at the World Sailing Championships in the Netherlands, qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Evie was crowned the 2023 Female Blue of the Year.
Nicola Olyslager OLY is a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) graduate and member of the Sydney University Athletic Club, she is the Australian record holder in the High Jump. This will be Nicola’s second Olympic Games, and she is in strong contention for Olympic Champion following her silver medal jump at Tokyo in 2021, Bronze at 2023 World Championships and 2024 World Indoor Champion. She is the current high jump Oceania record holder with 2.03m.
- 6.15pm, Fri 2 Aug – Women’s High Jump Qualification
Noah Havard is a Bachelor of Project Management with a Construction Major graduate and former member of the Elite Athlete Program. In 2022 Havard represented Australia at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, World Cups, and Junior and U23 World Championships winning a bronze medal as part of the U23 Men’s K4 500. At the 2023 Canoe Sprint World Cup in Poland, he won silver in the K4 500m. Paris will be Havard’s first Olympic Games where he will compete in the Canoe Sprint.
- 5.30pm, Tues 6 Aug – Men’s Kayak Four 500m Heats
Harriet Hudson OLY is a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) graduate hailing from Queensland, she moved to NSW once she finished her secondary education in search of further rowing opportunities and began her tertiary studies at The University of Sydney. After three successive appearances at the U23 World Championships, earning silver in the 2017 and 2019 regattas, Harriet alongside her crewmates ensured the participation of the women’s quadruple scull at the 2020 Olympics. Harriet made her Olympic debut in Tokyo winning bronze. Three years on, she has her eyes set on another Olympic medal as she teams up with Amanda Bateman in the Women’s Double Sculls. The pair are in good stead after winning silver in the World Rowing Cup II.
Alex Purnell OLY, an Olympic Gold Medallist and University of Sydney commerce graduate, has rowed for the Sydney University Boat Club throughout his senior career, winning three Intervarsity titles throughout 2014 and 2015 and receiving his University Blue in 2014, he began his international career in 2013, earning a bronze at the World Rowing U23 Championship. In 2017, Alex joined Australia’s senior team, competing in the Men’s Eight at World Rowing Cups and Championships, winning silver. He also excelled in the quad scull, claiming silver at the 2018 World Championships and 2019 World Rowing Cup II. At the Tokyo Games, Alex won gold with the coxless four in record time alongside his older brother, dual-Olympian, Nick. The team continued their success winning gold at the World Rowing Cup II and the Stewards Challenge Cup in 2022. Alex helped the crew qualify for the 2024 Olympics however will compete in Paris in the Men’s Eight.
Olivia Price OLY, a graduate in Political, Economic, and Social Sciences, won silver in the Elliot 6m Match Racing at the London Olympics. After retiring for five years due to a serious back injury and missing selection for Rio, she was approached by young sailor Evie Haseldine for mentorship. They began sailing together in early 2022, and in August 2023, they won a bronze medal at the World Championships, securing Australia a quota spot in the 49erFX class for Paris. Price, now 32, debuted at the Olympics at 19, winning silver in 2012. Having started sailing on the ISAF World Cup Women’s Match Racing Tour at 16, she hopes to claim gold in Paris with her Sydney Uni teammate.
Clare Hunt of Sydney Uni Soccer Football Club had a standout year in 2023. She debuted for the Matildas in February, coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 win over the Czech Republic in the Cup of Nations. She played in two other games in that tournament and several friendlies before the World Cup. By September, she became the starting center-back for the national team and joined Paris Saint-Germain. During the World Cup, Clare was one of three players who played every minute, helping her team reach the semifinals. She was selected in the tournament’s All-Star XI. The road to the top has come with many challenges, having undergone seven surgeries in five years including an ACL, a shoulder reconstruction and a broken ankle. Clare is a Bachelor of Science Graduate and former member of the Elite Athlete Program, she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Physiotherapy in an extended master’s program.
- 3am, Fri 26 July – Australia v Germany (Women’s Group B)
- 3am, Mon 29 July – Australia v Zambia (Women’s Group B)
- 3am, Thurs 1 Aug – Australia v USA (Women’s Group B)
Keesja Gofers OLY is a Bachelor of Design in Architecture graduate and a member of the Sydney University Water Polo Club. She made her international debut in 2010 and helped Australia claim silver at the 2013 FINA World Championships. In 2016, Keesja claimed her maiden National Water Polo title with the Lions, as well as competing at her first Olympics in Rio. Keesja made her second Olympic appearance at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games, where the Stingers reached the quarter finals. Paris will be Keesja’s third games, made extra special as she competes as a new mum.
- 4.05am, Sun 28 July – Australia v China (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Weds 31 July – Australia v Netherlands (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Fri 2 Aug – Australia v Canada (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Sun 4 Aug – Australia v Hungary (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
Matilda Kearns OLY is a has been a member of the Sydney University Water Polo Club since she was 18. Tilly was selected to compete in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 FINA World Junior Championships before making her senior debut for the Stingers in 2019, she went on to make her Olympic debut at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games where the team finished 5th. Tilly studied a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Southern California while on Scholarship playing for the Trojans. Paris will be Tilly’s second Olympic Games
- 4.05am, Sun 28 July – Australia v China (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Weds 31 July – Australia v Netherlands (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Fri 2 Aug – Australia v Canada (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Sun 4 Aug – Australia v Hungary (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
Jayden Lawrence has been a member of the Sydney University Wrestling Club since his junior days. Jayden has competed at three Commonwealth Games, bringing home the bronze in his third attempt. Jayden ended the Birmingham Games with an event record of 3-1, which landed him equal third alongside Canada’s Alex Moore in the 86kg division. Jayden’s 7-0 record to start in 2024 moved him to 63rd in the world on the United World Wrestling world ranking. Jayden’s stellar run in 2024 and his victory in the Olympic Qualifiers secured his spot to compete for Australia at Paris 2024 for his first Olympic Games.
Clare Wheeler discovered football at age 10 and quickly showed talent. By 13, she was selected for the state youth league, and by 15, she played for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League Women. As a defensive midfielder, Clare played for Newcastle for seven years before signing with Sydney FC. She also pursued a finance career, earning a Bachelor of Commerce at Sydney University while playing for SUSFC and Sydney FC. In 2021, Clare moved to Europe, joining Danish club Fortuna Hjørring and later English Women’s Super League team Everton. She debuted for the Matildas in September 2022 against the Republic of Ireland and was in the squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Although mostly a backup during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, injuries opened opportunities for her. Clare scored her first international goal in an 8-0 win over the Philippines in October 2023 and was in the squad as the Matildas qualified for the Paris Olympics in February.
- 3am, Fri 26 July – Australia v Germany (Women’s Group B)
- 3am, Mon 29 July – Australia v Zambia (Women’s Group B)
- 3am, Thurs 1 Aug – Australia v USA (Women’s Group B)
Sienna Green has played for Sydney University Water Polo Club for 10 years, joining as a nine-year-old, she has played in the Australian Water Polo League since the age of 14, winning the title in 2021. Sienna captained the national U18 team, before earning her first cap for the Australian Stingers in 2022. Sienna is on scholarship at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) were she plays for the Bruins while studying a Bachelor of Arts. The utility player makes her Olympic debut at just 19 years old.
- 4.05am, Sun 28 July – Australia v China (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Weds 31 July – Australia v Netherlands (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Fri 2 Aug – Australia v Canada (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Sun 4 Aug – Australia v Hungary (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
Jacob Mercep started playing water polo at age eight, representing Croatia through the junior ranks. After high school, he moved to the USA, making an immediate impact at San Jose State University by setting a single season record as the leading goal scorer. He earned Golden Coast Conference newcomer of the year and an Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-American honourable mention. Jacob then played for the University of Southern California Trojans, scoring 113 goals and earning All-America First Team honours in 2018 and 2019. After the pandemic, Jacob moved to Australia to play two seasons for the Sydney University Lions. He was called up to the Aussie Sharks and made his debut in the Tri Nations Test Match Series in Perth, winning player of the match. In 2024, Jacob made his World Championships debut and is set to make his Olympic debut in Paris.
- 6.30pm – Sun 28 July – Australia v Spain (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 6.30pm, Tues 30 July – Australia v Serbia (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 11pm, Thurs 1 Aug – Australia v France (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 11pm, Sat 3 Aug – Australia v Hungary (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 9.35pm, Mon 5 Aug – Australia v Japan (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
Alice Arnott holds a Bachelor of Medical/Health Management and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Sydney. A member of the Sydney University Hockey Club and an alumna of the Elite Athlete Program, she joined the Hockeyroos squad for the Paris Olympics after just three games for Australia. During her debut test series against India in 2023, she scored a goal in her first match and had two MVP performances. Alice’s international hockey journey began in 2016 when she was named player of the tournament at the Australian U18 Hockey Championships, scoring nine goals. She debuted for the U21 team in a series against New Zealand in 2018 and became Co-Captain in 2019 and 2020. That same year, she won a Premiership with SUHC and was named USYD’s Female Blue of the Year. She was a key member of the NSW Pride team that won the Hockey One league in 2022. Paris marks Alice’s first major tournament in the Green and Gold.
William Yang, a current USYD Bachelor of Design in Architecture student and former elite athlete with the Sydney Uni Swimming Club, has qualified for his first games. He was the 2019 Sydney University Blue of the Year and won gold in the 50m butterfly at the 2019 World University Games in Naples but missed selection for Tokyo. In 2022, William won gold and silver in relays at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest and two golds at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, also reaching the 100m freestyle final. After these achievements, he was diagnosed with a spinal tumor that left him nearly unable to walk. Following surgery and over four months of rehabilitation, he suffered a severe shoulder tear, sidelining him for another two months. Despite these setbacks, William resumed full-time training in January 2023. In March, he won the 100m freestyle final and gold in the 100m backstroke at the 2024 NSW State Championships.
- 7pm, Tues 30 July – Men’s 100m Freestyle – Heats
Sienna Hearn started her water polo journey at the Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers Water Polo Club at the age of seven. She excelled as a junior and 13 years later, at the 2022 FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in Peru, Sienna made her senior national team debut for the Aussie Stingers. After strong performances in the Australian Water Polo League, she was in the Stingers squad for the 2024 World Championships where Australia finished sixth. Away from the pool, Sienna is studying Education at the University of Sydney.
- 4.05am, Sun 28 July – Australia v China (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Weds 31 July – Australia v Netherlands (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Fri 2 Aug – Australia v Canada (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
- 10pm, Sun 4 Aug – Australia v Hungary (Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A)
Chaz Poot is a stalwart of the Sydney Uni Water Polo Club having played for the Lions since a junior. He was part of Australian Water Polo League Championship in 2018. Chaz has represented his country since 2016, firstly at the Junior World Championships before making his senior international debut in 2022 at the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup where the team won silver. Since then, he has become a staple in the Aussie Sharks setup, this will be Chaz’s first Olympic games.
- 6.30pm – Sun 28 July – Australia v Spain (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 6.30pm, Tues 30 July – Australia v Serbia (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 11pm, Thurs 1 Aug – Australia v France (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 11pm, Sat 3 Aug – Australia v Hungary (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
- 9.35pm, Mon 5 Aug – Australia v Japan (Men’s Preliminary Round – Group B)
Schedule is subject to change. All times listed are in Central Europe Summer Time (CEST), +8hr for AEST.
