A push to have surf lifesaving included in the 2032 Olympic Games in south-east Queensland has the next generation of stars planning ahead.
Mary Thompson from the Sunshine Coast, won the Under-14 iron woman title at the recent Aussie championships on the coast.
She also won two other gold medals and a silver in team events and a bronze in the surf swim at the titles.
The plan to include the sport in the 2032 Games was announced at the Aussies recently, where International Life Saving Federation President, Graham Ford, said the proposal is well advanced.
If the bid is successful Mr Ford said athletes from around the world would compete in iron man and iron woman as well as the taplin relay which includes board, ski and swim legs.
These are all events Mary Thompson is excelling in and she aims to be there if the sport is included in eight year’s.
“Yeah eight years is a long time but the sport itself, you just meet new people and it’s just a really fun sport in general,” she said.
“It seems really far away but time flies fast and if you’re having fun then you’ll stay in the sport and just try and make the Olympics I guess.”
Mary represents Maroochy Surf Club and said it would be a dream to compete for Australia at a home Games.
“Yeah definitely, I hope I’m still in it because it’d just be such an honour racing for Australia and an amazing achievement.
“I think it’s great because it’s just such a great sport and the sport just teaches people to be safe in the ocean,” she said.
She said the proposal has captured the imagination of a lot of her fellow competitors who are also keen to claim one of the few available Olympic berths.
Mary Thompson said the lure of an Olympic gold medal it will keep her in the sport.
‘It’s so much fun to be around everyone and it’s just so fun to race people from different clubs and you meet new people and you get new friends everywhere and it’s just a great sport and I definitely think I’m going to stay in it.”
Gold Coast iron man legend Trevor Hendy is backing the push and if successful wants the competition held at Surfers Paradise.
Mary Thompson believes Maroochydore Beach would be a better location.
