THE Illawarra has the chance to celebrate the achievement of the region’s Olympians at a gala ceremony on Saturday.
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While a number of athletes are overseas competing, the remaining members of the South Coast Rio contingent will gather at Wollongong Central.
Organisers are encouraging families to bring along children dressed in green and gold in a show of support.
The Illawarra finished with three individual gold medal winners, swimmer Emma McKeon and Rugby Sevens players Emma Tonegato and Nicole Beck.
McKeon also won two silver and a bronze, while Berry equestrian rider Shane Rose won bronze as part of Australia’s eventing team. The medal haul is the Illawarra most successful Olympics campaign.
Gerringong’s Hockeyroos talent Grace Stewart, who last week returned from her first Olympics campaign, said the level of support from home has been “crazy”.
“Definitely,” she told the Mercury.
“Especially back in Gerringong, a small town. I’ve had a lot of messages passed on, it was crazy the support and obviously when we arrived home off the plan. When we’re coming here on the weekend, I can imaging it’s going to be exciting as well.”
ILLAWARRA OLYMPIANS CEREMONY
Saturday, Wollongong Central stage (10am)
