Griffith University's High Performance Hub on the Gold Coast will play an even greater role in Australia's Olympic and Paralympic success, with the launch of a world-class elite gym completing the facility.
Supporting more than 500 emerging athletes, Olympians and Paralympians, the High Performance Hub also includes the athletics track and field, the Aquatic Centre and is underpinned by Griffith's sport science and health research facilities.
Griffith is home to the greatest number of student Olympians and Paralympians in Australia, with students and alumni contributing 34 per cent of Australia's medal tally at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
The High Performance Hub strengthens Griffith's position as a critical contributor to Australia's Olympic and Paralympic pathway.
The new elite gym brings together world-class equipment, cutting-edge performance technology and leading sport science expertise in a fully integrated environment designed to prepare athletes for competition at the highest level.
Record-breaking Australian Athletics sprinter and Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Business student Lachlan Kennedy said the elite training facilities made it easier to commit fully to both his sport and his studies.
"Having easy access to elite facilities is crucial to getting in quality training and having it 'next door' to somewhere where I'll be spending a lot of time studying is a huge win," Mr Kennedy said.
Griffith student and dual Olympian in athletics Ellie Beer OLY said the High Performance Hub supported student-athlete success.
"I'm super excited to see the opening of the new Griffith gym facilities," Ms Beer said.
"As an athlete that is striving for the next two Olympics, this is another example of how Griffith supports there student athletes towards success."
Griffith Performance Coach Dan Favier oversaw the gym's design and delivery in consultation with VERVE Fitness, and said the new facility was built with elite performance outcomes in mind.
"This new high performance gym facility is centered around creating the best possible environment for sporting success," Mr Favier said.
"The dedicated training space fills a long-awaited need for elite athletes on the Gold Coast, supporting athletic development through strength and conditioning, injury prevention and rehabilitation, load management, and recovery.
"Bringing our athletes and sport scientists together in one dedicated space builds on the world-class work Griffith is already known for, giving us even more ways to continue supporting elite performance."
The gym facility was also designed in consultation with the Queensland Academy of Sport and various national Paralympic athletes and coaches to provide a holistic and inclusive approach to athletic development leading up to the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the new gym reinforced Griffith's long-standing commitment to supporting student athletes as they balance academic study with elite sport.
"With world-class facilities, tailored support high-performance programs, Griffith Sports College has supported thousands of athletes to pursue both their sporting and academic goals," Ms McCarthy said.
Griffith was the first university to be named an exclusive Australian Olympic Pathway University in partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee and remain a gold‑tier member of the Australian Institute of Sport's Elite Sport Education Network.
