Telaya Blacksmith, Brendon Smith, Saya Sakakibara, Luke Pople, Ellen Perez, Sarah Carli, and Emma McKeon with Lord Mayor of Wollongong Tania Brown at the unveiling of new tiles for the Illawarra Olympic and Paralympic Tribute Wall. Photo: Region.
The Illawarra’s 2024 Paris Olympians, including gold medallists Emma McKeon and Saya Sakakibara, have been honoured with fresh tiles on the Illawarra Olympic & Paralympic Tribute Wall at Lang Park, Wollongong.
Emma and Saya were joined by Olympians Ellen Perez, Sarah Carli and Brendon Smith and Paralympians Telaya Blacksmith and Luke Pople at WIN Entertainment Centre, who were also recognised for their achievements.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Tania Brown took a moment to congratulate Emma McKeon on her recent retirement.
“You stand down as the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), but the Illawarra is so proud of you and the way you have represented our region,” she said.
“We’re known as a bit of a rugby league town and Bob Millward often says we’re a nursery of champions. I think we’re a nursery of Olympians and Paralympians … we punch well above our weight in our success rates. So congratulations to all of you. This wall is a lasting acknowledgement of your achievements and I thank the Illawarra Olympic & Paralympic Fundraising Committee for updating the wall after each Games.
“I look forward to many more additions, particularly after the games in 2028.”
Created in 2000 as part of a Sydney Olympic Games community initiative, The Illawarra Tribute Wall recognises athletes from all five local government areas of the Illawarra – Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wingecarribee – and features the names of 164 Olympians and 15 Paralympians.
A special project will see all previous Paralympians added in 2025.
Paralympics Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said the symbolism of the Tribute Wall was “hugely significant” in the Australian Paralympic movement.
“The objective was always to acknowledge this region’s athletes who’ve reached the pinnacle of sports by representing Australia and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but more importantly it represents equality for Paralympians who deserve equal opportunity and equal respect for their contributions and for their achievements to be recognised on the same level as their able-bodied peers,” she said.
“In years to come to know their sporting achievements have been immortalised in this way by their own communities is fantastic. Visitors to the Illawarra Olympic & Paralympic Tribute Wall – residents and tourists alike – are given a unique opportunity to really understand what representation does. Paralympic athletes break down barriers and through their performances we know they inspire Australians to develop a more inclusive society.
“The Illawarra region has certainly set a benchmark for equity and recognition for our Paralympians nationwide and for this we thank you very much and hope many more regional councils follow suit.”
Of the 22 Paris athletes unveiled, 10 have been through the Illawarra Academy of Sport, including Warlpiri Australian Paralympic athlete Telaya Blacksmith, who achieved personal bests at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the 400 m and long jump events.
She said her time at the Illawarra Academy of Sport was integral in her journey to the Paralympics.
“They encouraged me to do more athletics, taught me nutrition, meeting new people, going to the gym … that was the first time I ever went to a gym to use weights,” she says. “They’re such good people; there’s so much support around it.”
Wheelchair basketball Paralympian Luke Pople said the Illawarra was a great incubator for sporting talent.
“Across all the sports the Illawarra has produced a heap of great athletes,” he said. “In the Paralympics space now it being recognised in this way is a very cool thing,” he says.
TAFE Illawarra has engraved every tile since the wall was created.
Though no stranger to recognition in her hometown of Wollongong, Emma McKeon, who holds more gold medals than any Australian athlete, said it was an honour to be included on the wall in the place that held so many fond memories.
“Growing up in Wollongong, there was a lot of fun in amongst the introduction to competition. I did Nippers when I was young on North Wollongong beach and grew up in the West Illawarra Swim Club. That’s what started my competitive swimming journey. I loved attending all the local swimming carnivals, hanging out with friends and playing handball in between the events,” she said.
“Wollongong is always home for me; it holds such a special place in my heart. The people of Wollongong have always been my biggest supporters. It feels really special to be honoured in this way.”
Paralympics Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin, pictured here with Paralympians Telaya Blacksmith and Luke Pople, said the Illawarra had set a benchmark for equity and recognition. Photo: Region.
Illawarra 2024 Paris Olympians and Paralympians are as follows:
- Sarah Carli (Athletics)
- Dominique du Toit (Rugby Sevens)
- Caitlin Foord (Football)
- Mary Fowler (Football)
- Blake Govers (Hockey)
- Michelle Heyman (Football)
- Jessica Hull (Athletics)
- Emma McKeon (Swimming)
- Flynn Ogilvie (Hockey)
- Ruby Pass (Artistic Gymnastics)
- Ellen Perez (Tennis)
- Saya Sakakibara (BMX)
- Brendon Smith (Swimming)
- Grace Stewart (Hockey)
- Kieran Woolley (Skateboarding)
- Tyler Wright (Surfing)
- Telaya Blacksmith (Para-athletics)
- Jasmine Greenwood (Para-swimming)
- Tristan Knowles (Wheelchair basketball)
- Luke Pople (Wheelchair basketball)
- Amanda Reid (Para-cycling)
- Aaron Royle (Para-triathlon guide)
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