For our Canberra Olympic hopefuls, local pride comes in spades.
“I have grown with the city and experienced so many special moments here, including winning WNBL championships in 2019, 2018 and 2009 in front of a packed AIS arena,” says basketballer and UC Capitals star, Marianna Tolo.
“I love the way Canberra gets behind women’s sport in particular and I am so thankful for that.”
Tolo, along with local talent BMX champion Caroline Buchanan and skateboarder Ethan Copeland, features in a new mural unveiled at the Canberra Centre in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games, celebrating the local stars’ sporting achievements.
Buchanan, a dual-Olympian, refers to the Territory as her stomping ground: “it’s the roots that launched my international BMX and Mountain Biking career”.
“The facilities, community and relationships here are what formed a solid foundation for my success. I am so proud to always come home to the nation’s capital and call it home,” she said.
The mural, by Queensland artist Matty Bro, depicts the athletes in action and has been unveiled as they prepare for the Games’ qualifying events.
Bro says he’s “thrilled” to have created the mural celebrating local talent.
“I really love Canberra’s art scene, and this was a great opportunity for me to create a unique mural involving very talented athletes,” he said.
You can find the mural in the basement level 1 carpark at the Canberra Centre, underneath Coles.
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