The Crows’ Olympic team includes swimmer Hayden Stoeckel, basketballer Laura Hodges and kayaker Hannah Davis, who have all won medals at previous Olympics. And Matthew Cowdrey is on the verge of becoming Australia’s most successful Paralympian in history.
If you know of any other Olympians who are Crows fans, let us know!
The ‘Crows’ team:
Hayden Stoeckel (swimming, backstroke)
From the Riverland, Hayden won a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke at the 2008 Games in Beijing, when he was the first Australian to break the 53-second barrier for the event. He also picked up a silver medal as part of the 4x100m medley relay. The 100m backstroke heats are on July 29 and the final is the following night (London time). Twitter handle: @hayden_stoeckel
Hannah Davis (K4)
The former Mercedes College student was a part of the first ever Australian women's crew to win a medal in the K4 500m at an Olympic Games, claiming bronze in 2008. Heats start on August 6. Twitter handle: @HannahSouthOz
Laura Hodges (women’s basketball)
The dual Olympic silver medallist (nee Summerton) heads to her third Olympics with the Opals. A member of Australia’s 2006 World Championships team, she now plays with Parma Basket in Italy.
Patty Mills (men’s basketball)
The point guard has been with the Boomers squad since 2006 and represented Australia at the 2008 Games in Beijing. Has been in the NBA since 2009, first with Portland Trail Blazers and last season with San Antonio Spurs. The basketball starts on July 28. Twitter handle: @Patty_Mills
Jack Bobridge (cycling)
Made his Olympics debut in 2008, finishing fourth in the team pursuit. Jack broke the world record in the individual pursuit at the 2011 Australian Track Championships in Sydney. The men’s team pursuit will be decided on August 3. Twitter handle: @JackBobridge
Sam Willoughby (BMX Racing)
Won back-to-back junior world titles in 2008-09 and then in June this year clinched his first senior BMX title at the World Championships. Went to Brighton High but now is based in San Diego in the US. The BMX Men’s racing starts on August 8 with the final on August 10. Twitter handle: @SW91
Rachel Bugg (synchronised diving, 10m platform)
Another former Mercedes College student, Bugg teamed up with former dual Olympic bronze medallist Loudy Wiggins to claim silver at the 2012 Australian Championships. The Olympics final is on July 31. Twitter handle: @rachel_bugg
Lleyton Hewitt (tennis)
Adelaide’s No 1 ticketholder represented Australia in the 2000 Sydney Games and again in Beijing in 2008. He returns to the Wimbledon grass courts, where he won the 2002 men’s title. The men’s singles start on July 28.
Johan Linde (boxing, super heavyweight)
Booked his ticket to London 2012 Olympics after winning the Oceania Championships by knocking out the reigning Oceania champion. The 29-year-old, who attended Norwood Morialta High School, was South Australian heavyweight champion in 2003 before giving the sport away for six years. The super heavyweights start on August 1.
Paralympics
Katy Parrish (athletics)
Made the finals for both her events at the 2008 Games and finished fifth in the 200m and eighth in the 100m. Twitter handle: @katyparrish1
Matthew Cowdrey (swimming)
On the verge of becoming Australia’s most successful Paralympian in history. With eight gold medals, five silver and two bronze from two Games, the 23-year-old needs three more gold medals in London to surpass athletics star Tim Sullivan (10 gold from three Games) as Australia’s most prolific Paralympic gold medallist. Twitter handle: @matt_cowdrey
Gabriel Cole (athletics)
The 20-year-old sprinter made the Australian team for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and won gold in the 100m at the 2011 National titles.
