CELEBRATING OUR MINERVA OLYMPIANS

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games achieved a historic milestone no other Olympics has: 50% gender equality in participation.

Our exceptional Australian sportswomen lit up the City of Lights with their scintillating performances, built on years of hard work, sacrifice, grit, and determination. Their remarkable efforts secured 13 of Australia’s 18 gold medals and 30 out of 53 total medals.

This marks a turning point, celebrating the progress of women athletes on the global stage. It’s a milestone that goes beyond numbers; it’s a profound recognition of the strides women have made in sports worldwide.

Minerva is thrilled to celebrate and acknowledge these remarkable achievements which set new standards for female athletes and serve as a powerful inspiration for future generations. Having walked in step with Australia’s leading sportswomen since the Rio Olympics, Minerva’s commitment to supporting both current and future Australian sportswomen as they navigate the challenges of elite competition and explore opportunities beyond the field remains firm.

Our sportswomen are truly shaping the future of sports and motivating young athletes to aim higher.

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Minerva Athletes Shine Bright

Whether they podiumed, PB’d or performed their best representing their country in the green and gold, the 62 Minerva Paris Olympians from Minerva’s 800 athletes shone bright.

Amongst the standout performances in Paris, Minerva Athletes achieved remarkable results, bringing pride to the nation and setting new benchmarks in their respective sports.

• Grace Brown delivered a standout performance in winning Australia's first gold medal of the Games in the women's individual time trial. Competing on a challenging 32.4-kilometre course through Paris, Grace finished with a time of 39 minutes and 38.24 seconds, a remarkable 1 minute and 31.59 seconds ahead of her closest competition.
• Noemie Fox is undefeated at the Olympic Games, achieving gold in Canoe Slalom Kayak Cross, an event that demands exceptional strategic focus and physical resilience. Notably, her bold decision to step away from her parallel corporate career to concentrate fully on canoeing this year paid off.

• Jessica Fox OAM boasts a stellar career across four Olympics which saw her add two gold medals in Paris to her silver in London, bronze in Rio, and bronze and gold in Tokyo. As well as carrying the Australian flag in the Games opening ceremony, Jess was honoured with a position on the IOC Athletes Commission at the Paris Games.
• Jessica Hull sprinted into history by becoming the first Australian woman to win a medal in a track event longer than 800m, securing silver in the 1500m.
• Moesha Johnson earned silver in the 10km Open Water Swimming, demonstrating endurance and mental fortitude. Her race triumph in the Seine was a gruelling test of strength and psychological resolve.
• Our Aussie women once again dominated the swim relays, Shayna Jack and Bronte Campbell OAM were vital members of the gold medal-winning 4x100m freestyle relay team. Lani Pallister overcame covid to win gold in the 4x 200m, and Jenna won silver in the 4x100m medley relay.  
• Natalya Diehm secured a historic bronze medal in the BMX Freestyle event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This achievement made her the first Australian woman to earn an Olympic medal in BMX Freestyle.
• Jessica Morrison OAM earned a bronze medal competing in the women's pair, to add to her Gold from Tokyo Jess balances a corporate career at EY with her stellar rowing career.  
• The Australian Women's Water Polo Team secured a silver medal, marking their first Olympic medal since 2012. The team, featuring standout players like Abby Andrews, Alice Williams, Bronte Halligan, Elle Armit, Genevieve Longman, Keesja Gofers, Tilly Kearns and Zoe Arancini, delivered an exceptional performance throughout the tournament. Tilly Kearns, who played a pivotal role in the team's success, carries a legacy of sporting excellence; her father, Phil Kearns AM, is a former Wallabies captain and a valued ambassador for the Minerva Network.
• Jemima Montag added two bronze medals to her collection. She joins Betty Cuthbert AC MBE, Raelene Boyle AM MBE, Marjorie Jackson AC CVO MBE, Marlene Mathews AO, and Shirley Strickland AO MBE as the 6th Australian woman to win 2 medals in athletics at one Olympic Games. Her thoughtful post-race interviews reflect her dedication, and the perseverance needed to excel in athletics.

"It doesn't matter if you're doing sport for fun in your backyard with your girlfriends, or whether you want to take it to this Olympic Medallist level. Sport is about community and a sense of belonging, making friends, looking after our physical and mental health, learning amazing life skills like dedication and leadership which are all such great things for the next generation of women and girls." - Jemima Montag.

Inspiring Stories and Comebacks

Equally important, the Paris Olympics were not just a showcase of athletic excellence but also a stage for heartwarming stories of resilience and triumph.

• Emma Nedov made a triumphant return to gymnastics after a 3.5-year break, proving that passion can reignite a career. Her comeback story is a powerful reminder that true commitment can overcome significant challenges.
• Melissa Wu competed in her fifth Olympics, reaching the finals in the Women’s 10m platform, exemplifying consistency and enduring excellence. Her journey is a testament to long-term dedication and the pursuit of sustained success.
• The Opals overcame a shock loss in their first game to win the bronze medal, defeating Belgium 85-81 in a thrilling match. The bronze medal marks the Opals' third Olympic bronze and their sixth overall medal. Notably, Lauren Jackson AO became the first Australian to win medals in five Olympic Games, highlighting her enduring legacy in the sport. Minerva Athlete Marianna Tolo also played a significant role in the team's success.
• Alyce Wood achieved three-time Olympian status in the canoe sprint kayak after taking a year off in 2022 to become a Mum.
• The rhythmic gymnastics group featuring Saskia Broedelet, Lidiia Iakovleva, Emma Frroku, Phoebe Learmont, Jessica Weintraub supported by travelling reserve Alex Eedle achieved the nation’s best ever result in the team event, finishing 11th in the qualification round.
• Dr Rachael Gunn became the first woman to represent Australia in the sport of breaking at the Olympics.

Behind the Scenes

This wave of empowerment extended beyond the field of play. The Paris Olympics were a vibrant celebration of sport and unity. Among the supporters was Minerva Athlete Georgia Sheehan, author of Vogue Article "Almost Olympian," who was there to cheer on her partner competing in the Games.

“The atmosphere was electric, filled with the thrill of competition and Olympic camaraderie. The environment exemplified the incredible spirit of the Olympics, where athletes and supporters alike shared in the joy of achievement and the power of community.”

Many Minerva Mentors made the trip to the Games, offering their support and serving as a friendly face in the crowd to the athletes, including Minerva's Queensland Co-Chapter Lead Professor Sarah Kelly OAM. Minerva Legend Nat Cook OAM was an energetic force in Paris, supporting athletes across Minerva and her Aussie Athlete contingent.

Minerva Mentor Romilly Madew AO made a splash for her mentee with supporters proudly donning custom Georgie Rowe fan club t-shirts to cheer her on in the Rowsellas rowing 8s who achieved their best result in any Olympics, finishing a heart-stopping single second short of a podium finish. This show of solidarity and encouragement perfectly captured the personal connections and support that are at the heart of the Minerva Network community.

Long time Minerva Athlete Bronwen Knox and Minerva Mentor Julia Bell were driving forces behind Australia’s Olympic team success, with Bron’s integral role as Deputy Chef de Mission and Julia in the Olympian Services Team.

From Rio to Paris

Minerva is privileged to have been providing mentoring and development programs and opportunities to Australia’s amazing women athletes since the Rio Olympics, covering three summer and two winter Olympiads.

Support systems, like the Minerva Network, play a crucial role in helping athletes navigate their competitive careers and future paths. By connecting athletes with experienced women mentors from the corporate world, Minerva helps them translate their sports skills into new career opportunities, facilitating a seamless transition from the field to their next chapter. This support is crucial in preparing athletes for life beyond their sport and in fostering ongoing success. A great example of this are the Minerva Athletes and Legends who took up commentating and broadcast roles at the Games, including Ellie Cole AM, Cate Campbell OAM, Annabelle Williams OAM, Kerri Pottharst OAM, Elise Kellond Knight, Jenna O’Hea, Sera Naiqama and Alicia Lucas OAM (nee Quirk) who was also appointed World Rugby 7s ambassador for Paris.

Support beyond the Games

As is the way in sport, many athletes fell short of their own goals and missed out on medals at the Olympics, including team sports like Rugby 7s, Matildas, Hockeyroos and Rowsellas Rowing 8s. Having robust support systems in place to empower athletes with the resilience and guidance needed to handle the highs and lows of competition is key. By establishing these networks well before major events, athletes can better manage the emotional and professional challenges that come with their sporting careers.

As well as one-on-one mentoring and guidance, Minerva provides athletes with access to essential support services, such as Social Protect, a program that allows athletes to link their social media accounts to identify and delete comments that contain abuse.

The remarkable achievements of Australian women during Paris 2024 not only showcase their individual brilliance but also highlight the strength of the support systems behind them.

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As we look ahead to the 2024 Paralympic Games and beyond, the legacy of our athletes will inspire future generations to chase their dreams with unwavering determination. Stories transcend mere medal counts; they embody the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. It is this enduring support that will be pivotal in shaping the future of women in sport, motivating them to reach new heights and redefine success, both on and off the field.

Minerva Network supports more than 800 Australian women athletes competing in 76 sports, supported by over 350 women mentors on a pro bono basis.

Minerva invites all of Australia’s returning Olympians to the Network to support them in achieving their goals on and off the field.

‍Register here

Minerva Athletes – Paris 2024Olympics

Allanah Pitcher- Athletics

Cara Feain-Ryan - Athletics

Catriona Bisset - Athletics

Ella Connolly - Athletics

Ellie Beer - Athletics

Jemima Montag - Athletics

Jessica Hull - Athletics

Linden Hall - Athletics

MackenzieLittle - Athletics

Marianna Tolo - Basketball

Rachael Gunn - Breaking

Alyce Wood - Canoe

Ella Beere - Canoe

Jessica Fox - Canoe

Noemie Fox - Canoe

Yale Steinepreis - Canoe

Grace Brown - Cycling

Lauren Reynolds - Cycling

Natalya Diehm - Cycling

Ruby Roseman-Gannon- Cycling

Anabelle Smith- Diving

Melissa Wu - Diving

Caitlin Foord - Football

Ellie Carpenter- Football

Tameka Yallop - Football

Alex Eedle - Gymnastics

Alex Kiroi - Bogatyreva - Gymnastics

Emily Whitehead - Gymnastics

Emma Nedov - Gymnastics

Emmanouela Frroku - Gymnastics

Jessica Weintraub - Gymnastics

Lidiia Iakovleva - Gymnastics

Phoebe Learmont - Gymnastics

Saskia Broedelet - Gymnastics

Amy Lawton - Hockey

Claire Colwill- Hockey

Jane Claxton - Hockey

Jocelyn Bartram- Hockey

Renee Taylor - Hockey

Stephanie Kershaw - Hockey

Georgie Rowe - Rowing

JessicaMorrison - Rowing

Lucy Stephan - Rowing

Olympia Aldersey - Rowing

Sarah Hawe - Rowing

Charlotte Caslick - Rugby Sevens

Dominique DuToit - Rugby Sevens

Sharni Smale(Williams) - Rugby Sevens

Bronte Campbell- Swimming

Jenna Strauch - Swimming

Lani Pallister - Swimming

Moesha Johnson- Swimming

Shayna Jack - Swimming

Melissa Tapper- Table Tennis

Abby Andrews - Water Polo

Alice Williams- Water Polo

Bronte Halligan- Water Polo

Elle Armit - Water Polo

Genevieve Longman - Water Polo

Keesja Gofers -Water Polo

Tilly Kearns - Water Polo

Zoe Arancini - Water Polo

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