Close to 500 Australian athletes, including 306 debutants, have arrived in Japan to compete in the biggest competition of their lives – the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
Incredibly, there are a several inspirational Aussies competing in Tokyo that have a special local connection either through birth, residency, club or school.
From July 23 to August 8, we encourage you to gather up your green and gold, and cheer on our local athletes to glory.
Local athletics star Nicholas Hough will make his Olympic debut in Tokyo. The 27-year-old Baulkham Hills resident and former The King’s School student will compete in the 110m Hurdles.
Joining Hough in Tokyo is fellow The King’s School alumni and NBA star Josh Green, who will battle some of the best players in the world for Australia’s first Olympic medal in Men’s Basketball.
Also making her Olympic debut is 23-year-old Newington resident Kaitlin Nobbs, who will represent Australia in Women’s Hockey.
Merrylands resident Dietrich Roache and Olympic debutant Dylan Pietsch will represent Australia in Rugby Sevens. 20-year-old Roache is a member of the Western Sydney Two Blues, while 23-year-old Pietsch is another former student at the exclusive The King’s School in North Parramatta.
Fans can look forward to the country’s biggest-ever broadcast and digital event. For the first time in Australian free-to-air television history, there will be 45 dedicated Olympic Games channels across Seven and 7plus – all live, free and in HD.
The Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics will screen live next Friday.
While the upcoming Games may look a little different to years’ past due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the excitement and spirit of the Olympics will be on full display more than ever before.
Make sure you visit Parra News’ social media channels throughout the duration of the Olympic Games for up-to-date information.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.