Nine students from the University of Queensland (UQ) students and community members have packed their bags after being chosen to represent Australia at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Professor Bruce Abernethy, Executive Director of UQ’s Office of 2032 Games Engagement says he is delighted to see such a strong UQ contingent in the Paris teams.
“Sport is not just an extracurricular activity at UQ – it’s an integral part of the student experience and excellence in promoting and understanding sport forms a key part of the University’s distinctive identity and standing nationally and internationally,” he says.
“This is true regardless of whether the focus is upon research and innovation in sport, sport in the curriculum or sport as a vehicle for engagement with our community locally, nationally and globally. It’s fantastic to see so many UQ students and alumni selected to participate in the Paris 2024 Games, and I know the whole UQ community will be cheering for them in their Olympic and Paralympic journeys.”
Students’ sporting success stories
Elizabeth Dekkers – Swimming (200m butterfly)
Dekkers is a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) student and will make her Olympic debut in Paris. She won a gold medal in the 200m butterfly at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. She was awarded UQ Sportswoman of the Year in 2023.
Thomas Neill – Swimming (200m freestyle)
Neill is a Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) student and a bronze-medal winner from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for the 4x200m freestyle relay. He was awarded the UQ Sportsman of the Year Award (2022 and 2024).
Brenden Hall – Swimming (S9 400, 800 and 1500m freestyle)
Hall is a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences (’17) graduate and a seasoned athlete, with 4 Paralympic campaigns under his belt. He is a 3-time gold medallist and will equal an Australian Para-swimming record with his fifth Games appearance in Paris. Hall was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2014 for his service to sport. He was awarded UQ Sportsman of the Year in 2015.
Lakeisha Patterson – Swimming (S9 400m freestyle)
Patterson is studying a Bachelor of Communication and will be competing in her third Paralympics. She won a gold medal in the 2016 Rio Paralympics and backed that up with a gold medal in the women’s 400m freestyle S9 at the Tokyo Paralympics. Patterson was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2017 and UQ Sportswoman of the Year in 2019.
Rachael Watson – Swimming (S4 50 freestyle)
Watson is studying a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) and is representing Australia at her third Paralympics. She won gold in the 50m freestyle S4 at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and again at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Watson was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2017 and the UQ Sportswoman of the Year in 2022.
Jack Ireland – Swimming (S14 200m freestyle)
Ireland is a UQ Swim Club member and has qualified for his first Paralympics. He won a bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Ireland also won medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Para Swimming Championships.
Maddison Keeney – Diving (3m springboard and 3m springboard synchronised)
Keeney is a Bachelor of Science (’17) graduate and a former UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship recipient. She made her Olympic debut in Rio, winning a bronze medal, won a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and silver medals at the 2012, 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Abby Andrews – Water Polo
Andrews is studying a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Honours). She has represented Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2024 and 2023 World Aquatics Championships and the 2022 World Championships.
Gabriella Palm – Water Polo
Palm graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Science (’22) and made her Olympic debut at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games. The goalkeeper has represented Australia 50 times since making her debut for the Stingers in 2017. She plays professionally for Club Esportiu Mediterrani in Barcelona and is a former UQ Sports Achievement Scholarship recipient.
