The pair visited Tagai State College and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on Thursday Island, sharing their Olympic journeys with more than 200 local students from years 4-6, before taking part in the Indigenous Marathon Foundation’s International Women’s Day Fun Run where they joined over 150 local community members on the 5km run. 

As proud Indigenous Olympians, Brad and Beki spoke of the importance of sharing their Olympic experiences with the young locals and the importance of giving back to their community.

“As an Olympian and as one of only 60 known Indigenous Olympians, I see it as a responsibility to step up and share the power of sport back into these communities,” Beki said.

“It’s about inspiration and motivation, and we get to go out into these communities and talk with young ones, give advice and share our stories. It’s amazing when you see the twinkle in some of the kids' eyes as they start to believe in themselves. 

“Sharing knowledge and storytelling, it’s just a part of who we are as First Nations people, it’s just what we do.”  

Dual Olympic boxer Brad Hore said sport offered a way to connect with young people and bring their dreams to life.

“It is a very tight community on Thursday Island, so it takes a lot of guts to leave for the mainland and chase your dreams,” Brad said.

“It’s important for us to inspire these kids and let them know that while it’s going to be tough, their family is always going to be there supporting them. I want to help the kids keep those dreams alive and encourage them to dream big.”

Having been to Thursday Island in July 2022 as part of NAIDOC week, the Olympians said they were grateful to have the opportunity to visit a second time and reconnect with some of the locals they met last year.

“It has been great reconnecting and being able to catch up with people, have a yarn and to be shown around the island. We’ve also been able to learn a bit more about the history of the area during this visit which has been incredible,” Brad said.

“Whenever we get to go and do visits in remote communities it is a lot of fun and you learn a lot from the local people. You are kind of giving and learning a lot at the same time, so it’s a really nice combination,” Beki continued.

“It is amazing to be able to reconnect with the students, that is something Olympics Unleashed provides. By returning to the schools, the students also get the sense that they matter, they are important, and they can do it as well.”

In sharing their own stories, both Brad and Beki hope to inspire the students of Thursday Island and teach them the power of self-belief and to never give up.

“It can be challenging, it can be tough, but if you believe in yourself enough and you never give up then you can achieve whatever you put your mind to, whether that is in sport or not,” Beki said.

“One message I want the kids to take away is to never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it,” continued Brad.

“I hope in 10 years' time, I can sit back during the Brisbane 2032 Games and see some of these kids we have spoken to through Olympics Unleashed out there representing Australia.”

The IMF Fun Run also gave the Olympians the opportunity to connect with the wider community and celebrate IMP Graduate and IMF’s International Women’s Day Warrior Elsie Seriat.

“The IMF Fun Run was unreal, there were so many families, aunties, uncles and young ones having a ball, and it was great to connect as a community and feel welcomed,” Beki said

“It’s amazing to be able to support people doing amazing things in their community and I always get really inspired and motivated by it. The power and magic that comes from connecting with community through sport is quite indescribable. It is an emotion and a feeling that is hard to explain.”

Teachers can find out more about Olympics Unleashed and register their school here.