The Australian Olympics have confirmed that eleven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes will be competing across 8 sports in this upcoming Paris Olympics.
Among their ranks is Kokatha, Naghiralgal, Duaureb-Meriam basketball legend Patty Mills, who will be the first Indigenous athlete to compete in five Olympic Games (too deadly!).
Let's meet the mob making their mark in Paris.
Taliqua Clancy
Taliqua Clancy was part of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics Australian Beach Volleyball team. Source: AAP
The proud Wulli Wulli and Goreng Goreng woman started her sporting career in Netball but fell in love with volleyball at 17.
She became the first Aboriginal person to compete in the sport at an Olympic level, competing in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Abbey Connor
Freestyle and butterfly specialist Abbey was still at school when she debuted at the 2022 World Championships in Hungary.
Ms Connor broke a 1978 record for 200m butterfly at just 15 years old.
Calab Law
Initially a hurdler and a long jumper, Calab was drawn to track and athletics by family connections. Credit: Pacific Games
Mr Law has become a regular on the third leg of the Australian 4x100m relay team and secured his spot at the Paris Olympics after competing in the World Relays in May.
Maurice Longbottom
Maurice Longbottom says his greatest ambition is to be a good role model for the next generation of Indigenous athletes. Source: Getty / Bongarts/Getty Images
Patty Mills
Patty Mills became the first Indigenous Australian to carry the flag at an Opening Ceremony. Credit: Australian of the Year Awards
Conor Nicholas
Conor Nicholas got into sailing as a five-year-old, Credit: Facebook
After their win, the pair secured a Paris Olympics quota spot in which Mr Nicholas will make his Olympic debut.
Their winning streak continued this year where the pair finished 15th at the 470 World Championships in Spain.
Brooke Peris
Brooke Peris became a two-time Olympian as part of the Hockeyroos squad that travelled to Japan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Credit: Commonwealth Games
Making her Olympic debut in Rio in 2016, Brooke has been part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2018 Champions Trophy and Commonwealth Games, as well as the 2019 Oceania Cup and FIH Pro League.
Callum Peters
One of nine children, Callum is coached by his father, Bradley. Credit: Russell Millard Photography
He secured his spot after winning gold at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.
“I finally get the chance to represent my country and my people," he said.
Mariah Williams
Mariah Williams boasts a number of Hockey Honours/ Awards. Credit: Picasa
An impressive resume, Ms Williams has played in the Australian national field hockey team, competing in prestigious international competitions such as the FIH Hockey World Cup and the FIH pro league
Marissa Williamson Pohlman
Marissa said she never imagined herself going to the Olympics. Credit: Rob Leeson
Ms Pohlman is making her Olympic debut after she overcame a knee injury to claim gold at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.
Alex (Ally) Wilson
Proud Ngarrindjeri woman Ally Wilson was introduced to basketball through her father who also played professionally. Credit: FIBA
She will become the fourth Indigenous female basketballer to represent her country at the Olympics.
“I remember as a kid when Rohanee [cox] went to the Olympics, she had an Aboriginal flag with her when the Opals won a silver medal, and then I got to play with her at Sydney and that was a big thing," she said.
