Australia's Olympic hopes in BMX, Sprint, Swimming and Sport Climbing have been given a major boost with a first-of-its-kind scholarship supporting four Griffith University athletes on their path to Olympic success.
The prestigious Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and Griffith University Sports scholarship supports athletes competing in Olympic sports at elite international competitions.
The scholarship also grants automatic entry into Griffith Sports College, which has long supported hundreds of student-athletes to balance elite training and competition with university studies.
Griffith athletes contributed 34 per cent of Australia's medal tally at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, produced more Olympians than any other Australian university across the past three Olympic Games, and is the first to be recognised as an Australian Olympic Pathway University.
AOC Chief Executive Officer Mark Arbib said this ground-breaking initiative recognises the years of dedication that goes into being an elite athlete.
"Griffith University's student numbers speak for themselves in terms of their support for Australian Olympians and we're so proud to see these Olympic scholarships come to life through these athletes," Mr Arbib said.
"Olympians, their families and their sports dedicate an enormous amount of time, effort and money into Olympic dreams, and Griffith University recognise the flexibility that athletes need to perform at their best.
"This partnership is a wonderful example of the AOC, Griffith University and Sports working together to support Olympians and aspiring Olympians."
2026 Australian Olympic Committee and Griffith University Sports Scholarship recipients include:
- Charli Guy - Cycling, BMX Racing (Bachelor of Exercise Science)
- Phoebe Bentley - Swimming (Bachelor of Education)
- Lachlan Kennedy - Athletics (Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Business)
- Kyle Heuston-Connor – Sport Climbing (Bachelor of Engineering)
Record breaking Australian Athletics sprinter, Lachlan Kennedy was awarded a full $40,000 scholarship, to build greater momentum on the Road to LA28 and beyond.
Mr Kennedy became the second Australian in history to run 100 metres in under 10 seconds, achieving a time of 9.98 seconds at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet in Nairobi, Kenya.
Studying a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Business at the Brisbane South (Nathan) campus, Mr Kennedy said the scholarship provided an opportunity to advance his sporting aspirations and long-term career goals.
"Griffith offers me flexibility, which is really important because my training schedule changes and I often need to travel interstate or internationally for my sport," Mr Kennedy said.
Cycling (BMX) athlete Charli Guy was awarded an Australian Olympic Committee and Griffith University Sports Development Scholarship, studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science at the Gold Coast campus.
Ms Guy's sporting career has taken her to national and international competitions, which included winning the Superclass Women's final at the 2025 AusCycling BMX National Series in Shepparton and claiming a silver medal at the 2025 Oceania Championships in New Zealand.
"Beginning my degree at Griffith and working with the Sports College feels like the perfect next step for me," Ms Guy said.
Griffith Sports College Director and Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist (Water Polo) Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the scholarship recipients embodied the dedication and drive which defined the College's sporting community.
"I am so pleased to congratulate Phoebe, Kyle, Lachie and Charli on their scholarship awards," Ms McCarthy said.
"Griffith Sports College is dedicated to helping our athletes thrive in their sporting pursuits, in their academic endeavours, and beyond."
