Former WAIS Athletes Compete in Beijing

With 49 athletes representing the Western Australian and WAIS flags in Beijing, it is important to note that four former WAIS athletes were in competition at the recent Olympic Games.

Tully Bevilaqua and Rohanee Cox were both members of the Australian Opals women’s basketball team that earned a silver medal after going down 92-65 against the USA.

Both women played pivotal roles in the Opals campaign with Australia winning every other match except the gold medal play-off.

Natalie Cook conjured memories of Sydney 2000 were she and fellow former WAIS athlete Kerry Pottharst won the women’s beach volleyball gold medal. Eight years on, Cook paired with Tamsin Barnett and made a fantastic start to the tournament, with the tall Barnett dominant at the net and Cook exploiting her experience and speedy court coverage.

Cook and Barnett qualified for the quarter finals before bowing out in straight sets to the mighty Brazilian pair of Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha (24-22, 21-14).

Sarah Jamieson competed in the women’s 1500m track and field but unfortunately missed out on qualifying for the final. Jamieson competed in the first heat, placing fifth in a time 4:06.64m. The gold medal was won by Kenyan Nancy Jebet Langat. Jamieson is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist in the 1500m.