University of Queensland biomedical science graduate Melanie Schlanger has walked away from the London Olympics with a gold and two silver medals.
Ms Schlanger earned gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay and silver in both the 4x200m freestyle relay and the 4x100m medley relay. She finished fourth in the women's 100m freestyle final.
A gold and bronze medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Ms Schlanger almost gave up swimming in 2010 due to illness.
However, keen to get back in the pool again for fitness, she made her comeback at the 2012 National Championships – assuring her a spot in the Olympic swimming team.
UQ Bachelor of Business Management and Bachelor of Laws student Mitchell Watt on a silver medal in the long jump, with a distance of 8.16m. He was narrowly beaten by Greg Rutherford of Great Britain.
Brooke Pratley, who completed a Masters of Physiotherapy-Sports at UQ, won a silver medal in the women's double scull rowing event alongside team mate Kim Crow.
UQ engineering graduate and Australian water polo player Jane Moran earned a bronze medal after the Australian women's team defeated Hungary 13 -11.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Debbie Terry congratulated the four medallists on their wins.
“UQ is very proud of Melanie's, Mitchell's, Brooke's and Jane's achievements, and of all the UQ students, alumni and staff who are contributing to the Olympics and Paralympics,” she said.
“Winning a medal is a particularly dazzling feat, but anyone selected for the mission in London must be extraordinary.
“UQ congratulates one and all, and wishes the very best to the individuals and teams whose challenges are still to come.”
In gymnastics, UQ Master of Physiotherapy student Josh Jefferis finished 19th in the all around final, becoming Australia’s greatest male all round Olympic gymnast. Previously, the best Olympic all round men’s performance was a 30th placing.
Emma Moffatt, Bachelor of Applied Science student, competed in the women's triathlon, which saw Australian triathlete Erin Densham take out the bronze medal.
UQ graduate Alana Boyd finished equal 10th in the pole vault final, which was won by Jennifer Suhr from the United States.
Synchronised swimmer and applied science student Bianca Hammett competed in the Women's Teams Technical Routine event, with Australia finishing in eighth place.
Overall, there were seven UQ students and alumni competing at the 2012 Olympics and three will competing in the 2012 Paralympics.
In addition, UQ’s Associate Professor Ian Jobling, Director of the Centre for Olympic Studies at UQ's School of Human Movement Studies attended the International Society of Olympic Historians meeting in the capacity of executive board member and also reported for a Sunshine Coast media outlet.
UQ animal physiotherapy PhD student Narelle Stubbs is a member of the Australian Equestrian Team's support unit and was at the London Olympics in the role of equine physiotherapist.
UQ graduate Kym Dowdell was at the games as Technical Director and Judge of Women's artistic gymnastics. Awarded an OAM in 2009 for her services to gymnastics, Ms Dowdell is now Vice-President of the FIG Women's Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee and has been a judge for many decades.
Dr Sean Tweedy, from UQ's School of Human Movement Studies, will work as a classifier at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
In this role, he will work as part of a team to assess any new athletes, and monitor athlete performances and rule on classification protests.
UQ students and alumni competing in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics:
• Alana Boyd, Bachelor of Business Management graduate, pole vault
• Mitchell Watt, Bachelor of Business Management/Bachelor of Laws student, long jump
• Joshua Jefferis, Master of Physiotherapy Studies student, gymnastics
• Melanie Schlanger, Bachelor of Biomedical Science graduate, swimming, freestyle
• Brendan Hall, Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science student, swimming, freestyle (Paralympics)
• Blake Cochrane, Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science student, swimming, breastroke (Paralympics)
• Bianca Hammett, Bachelor of Applied Science student, synchronised swimming
• Emma Moffatt, Bachelor of Applied Science student, triathlon
• Jane Moran, Bachelor of Engineering graduate, water polo
• Bridie Kean, Master of Public Health student, wheelchair basketball (Paralympics)
• Brooke Pratley, Master of Physiotherapy-Sports (Rowing)
Check out the UQ Sport Blog for more information on UQ students and graduates who competed at the London Olympics.
For the Olympics schedule with events and results, please visit http://www.london2012.com/schedule-and-results/
For the Paralympics schedule with events and results, please visit http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/schedule-and-results/
Media contact: Caroline Bird, UQ Office of Marketing and Communications, c.bird1@uq.edu.au or 0413 601 248
