Paris Olympic Games Moreton Bay coverage – July 31

Published 11:30pm 31 July 2024

Paris Olympic Games Moreton Bay coverage – July 31
Words by Nick Crockford

Pictured: Alice Williams and Charlize Andrews

Alice Williams and Charlize Andrews, from North Brisbane Polo Bears at Albany Creek, helped Australia to a thrilling victory over Netherlands.

The Stingers won a nerve-wracking penalty shootout 8-7 to take the match 15-14, after the sides were locked at 7-7 in normal time.

It moves Australia to within one point of Olympic Pool B leaders Netherlands but they have a game in hand and will be looking to finish in top spot.

Williams scored two from five shots and Andrews, who went to St Paul's School at Bald Hills, one from three shots as the Stingers dominated possession and recovered from a 3-1 deficit after the first period.

Australia next face Canada, currently fourth in the five-team pool, on Friday at 10pm AEST. The top four from Pools A and B go into the quarter-finals.

Renee Taylor opened the scoring for Australia tonight

Renee Taylor, the former Redcliffe junior, has helped Australia set-up a top-of-the-table clash against Argentina at the Paris Olympics.

Born in Everton Park, Taylor fired home the Hockeyroos’ first goal in a 3-0 victory over USA tonight.

Alice Arnott and Maddison Brooks were also on the scoresheet as Australia worked hard for the points in hot conditions.

That gave the Hockeyroos a third win from three games, matching Argentina. Both sides also have a goal difference of nine.

The Hockeyroos face Pool B leaders Argentina on Friday at 4.15am AEST. Australia are world ranked five, Argentina two.

The top four sides from the six-team Pools A and B go into the quarter-finals.

Paris Olympic Games Moreton Bay coverage – July 31

It's gold for Kaylee! Kaylee McKeown, born and raised in Moreton Bay, has produced a stunning performance to win gold in the 100m backstroke title this morning.

Redcliffe-born, Caboolture-raised McKeown came storming through in the final 25m to beat an incredibly strong field and retain her Olympic title.

All the pressure was on the former St Paul's Lutheran Primary School student at Caboolture, but she delivered, when it mattered and in style.

The 23-year-old, who also swam at Burpengary, won in an Olympic record time of 57.33 seconds, ahead of arch rival Regan Smith (US) 57.66 and Canada’s Katherine Berkoff 57.98.

"I wasn't sure I could get up and get that time, but the Americans gave me a red-hot push," Kaylee said immediately after the race on Channel Nine.

"Expectation, I think, is a privilege and if get that privilege it's something special. I think I have a little superpower and that's my dad, I believe he was with me tonight, so I'm over the moon.

"He'd be extremely proud. It's great to have my family here because I know he is here in spirit.

"No words can amount to how much I appreciate their support. Thanks Australia!"

Just as sister Taylor McKeown predicted in the Moreton Daily before the race, Kaylee’s famed finish clinched her third Olympic individual medal.

Channel Nine commentator Gian Rooney felt Kaylee was ready to defend her crown – despite the pressure of being the Olympic champion - and she did.

Plaudits rained down on McKeown after the race with Channel Nine commentators Gian Rooney and Ian Thorpe saying she was “incredible”, “what a champion!” and "you are a legend".

Smith holds three of the fastest 100m backstroke times of all time, including the world record. McKeown has the other seven.

This was also the first time in Olympic history that the eight finalists comprised two swimmers from each of four countries.

McKeown still has the 200m backstroke, 200m individual medley and the 4x100 medley and mixed relay events coming up.

Tomorrow ....

Tomorrow morning the Matildas, with Cortnee Vine, Teagan Micah and Sharn Freier all from Moreton Bay, will be looking to cause a major upset.

They need to beat USA (kick-off 3am AEST), who lead Pool B of the women’s football and hope Zambia shock or hold Germany to guarantee a place in the quarter-finals.

If the Matildas finish outside the top two, they could still go through as one of the best third-placed finishers.

Indiah-Paige Riley, who played for The Lakes and Moreton Bay United, will be hoping to help New Zealand to their first win of the Olympics against France in Pool A at 5am AEST.

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