Emma and David McKeon have confirmed they will be attending the Ian Thorpe lunch hosted by Illawarra Women In Business at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach on Friday, September 2.
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IWIB director Glenda Papac said she got the confirmation this week that Australia’s most successful athlete at the 2016 Rio Olympics was going to attend with her brother.
“We are hoping Emma will be bringing her collection of medals from Rio. This will be an IWIB lunch not to be missed,” she said.
Mrs Papac secured the The Thorpedo late last year after noting the amount of interest in the Dawn Fraser lunch and hearing about how we is as natural speaking in front of a crowd as he is in the pool. “Ian Thorpe is a fabulous speaker. He is talking not only about his Olympic journey. But also on his successes, failures and life choices. He excels as a motivational speaker, using his life stories, achievements, failures and future goals,” she said.
Ian Thorpe is considered one of the greats.He won five Olympic gold medals which is more than any other Australian. He is also expected to talk about the rise of Emma McKeon who won four medals during her first foray into the Olympic arena at the Rio games.
That included gold in the 4x100 metre freestyle relay along with two silver medals and one bronze. One of the silver medals and the bronze were for individual performances while the other silver was in the 4x200 metre freestyle relay. Her parents and McKeon’s Swim School owners Susie and Ron McKeon signed on a long time ago as the gold sponsor for the September 2 lunch knowing how significant it is to have Thorpe speak in Wollongong. He first came to global attention when he won the 1998 World 400 metre freestyle title in Perth. At 15 that made him youngest world champion in history. He has been in Rio as a commentator and a mentor. Other businesses making the Ian Thorpe lunch possible are Lancaster Law & Mediation, GJ Gardner Homes Wollongong, One Agency - JD Property Agents, KPMG, Novotel Wollongong Northbeach and Relativity. The Illawarra Mercuy will be providing everyone with a special poster recognising Emma McKeon's outstanding achievements in Rio.