Mon Ouk

2024-08-21T00:21:11

Throughout late July and early August, the Monash community was cheering on two Monash students and four alumni who were in Paris competing at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Representing 2 countries and competing across 4 different disciplines, including Table Tennis, Race Walking, Athletics, and Rhythmic Gymnastics the 5 athletes and one coach did Monash and their countries so very proud.

Representing Fiji, Computer Science Student Vicky Wu competed in the Men’s Singles in Table Tennis. Wu is no stranger to international competition, having competed previously in the 2018 Commonwealth Games at only 13 years of age. Now 6 years later, the 19 year old was at his first Olympic Games. Despite losing to Great Britain's Liam Pitchford in the Round of 64, Wu stated that “this was the best I ever played”. Wu is also the first Fijian to qualify for the Olympics in Table Tennis, setting a milestone for the small Pacific nation.

Former 2012 Olympian, and Monash Alumni Dale Stevenson attended the Games as the Personal Coach for 4 athletes competing in Athletics, including Australians Matt Denny and Ash Molony, as well as Jacko Gill and Lauren Bruce from New Zealand. 

Matt Denny incredibly won bronze in the Discus Throw, with Jacko Gill placing 7th in the Shot Put. 

Dale told Team Monash that:

“after the turbulent settings of recent Tokyo and Rio Olympics, it was a fantastic celebration by the Parisian people to host such an energetic event. We are always proud to wear the green and gold colours, but this was especially memorable. Thanks to all the supporters who tuned in to the Olympics.”

Dale will remain in Paris for the Paralympics, where he will coach Guy Henly in the F37 Discus Throw.

Law student Alex Kiroi-Bogatyreva competed in the Rhythmic Gymnastics in her first Olympic Games. The 22 year old trains regularly in Baku, Azerbaijan, and has participated in the sport for over 15 years. Kiroi-Bogatyreva contested the Individual All-Round event, presenting four different performances with the ribbon, clubs, ball and hoops.

We spoke to Alex who said of her Olympic experience

“The Olympic Games are one of a kind! You can never fully prepare yourself for the emotions you will feel once you arrive in the village and compete. It is amazing to see all athletes unite with a common goal to show their best, and for the whole world to watch us. I am proud to have put my best foot forward and finally be able to call myself an Olympian!”

Biomedical Science Alumni Rebecca Henderson competed in Race Walking in Paris, taking part in the 20km Race Walk and the Mixed Race Walk Relay. The two time Olympian finished 31st in the Individual event - her best result at an Olympics, and 22nd in the inaugural Mixed Race Walk Relay, which saw her and Declan Tingay cover 81.4km in just over 3 hours

Two of our Alumni featured in the Women’s Athletics 1500m event. Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Business graduate Georgia Griffith fought hard through her first heat, making it to the semifinals where she placed 9th in her group, ending her Olympic run as 22nd overall, an incredible achievement for the dual Olympian. Fellow Master of Dietetics graduate Linden Hall was unfortunately met with a calf tear the day of the opening ceremony, however she persevered and finished 37th overall for the event - a valiant effort for her third Olympics.

We are so incredibly proud of the students and alumni who performed on the world stage and can’t wait to see what they do next.


Keep up to date with all of our programs and athletes via our website.

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