On Olympic Day, Lani Pallister Reminds Us What ‘Olympian’ Really Means

This Olympic Day, we commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games, highlighting the importance of getting active through Olympic sport and celebrating the enduring power of Olympians to inspire, connect, and uplift communities.

The Dolphins have a proud history of achievement at the Olympic Games, representing Australia in swimming at every Summer Olympics since 1900 in Paris – after sending only the one runner Edwin Flack to the inaugural 1896 Athens Games.

Dolphin #1, Frederick ‘Freddy’ Lane, set the tone for Australia’s swimming success at Paris 1900, becoming the first Australian swimmer to win an Olympic medal – two individual golds, in fact.

Since then, many swimming greats have followed in Freddy Lane’s strokes, including Shane Gould, Murray Rose, Dawn Fraser, Ian Thorpe and the G.O.A.T., Emma McKeon – just to name a few.

Over a century later, Lani Pallister (Dolphin #830) – daughter of Seoul 1988 Olympian Janelle Pallister and goddaughter of Australian swimming legend Dawn Fraser – made her Olympic debut in Paris 2024. Pallister went on to win gold in the 4x200m freestyle alongside Mollie O’Callaghan, Ariarne Titmus and Brianna Throssell.

“Being an Olympian is about more than just a title. It’s about overcoming the struggles, setbacks and persevering through adversity to achieve a childhood dream,” Pallister said.

“Becoming an Olympian allowed me to join the one club you can never buy your way into and it’s made me appreciate the love and support from family, friends, staff and the community.

“Although competing at the Olympic Games is one moment it’s the accumulation of a multitude of small moments that show what it means to be an Olympian.”

As part of this year’s celebrations Olympic Dolphins Taylor McKeown (Rio), Lara Davenport (Beijing) and David McKeon (London-Rio) will head to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait to help deliver community clinics and upskill Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship (AOICS) graduate swimming coaches.

Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist McKeown said being an Australian Olympian is special.

“It’s a representation of the work ethic embedded in me from my parents, my sporting idols, myself and of course Australia,” she said.

“I love to share the biggest keys to success that I have personally learned throughout my Olympic journey – to try your hardest, enjoy the journey and support your teammates. These can be applied to anything and even if you don’t reach your goals, you can stand proud knowing you tried your hardest.

“I’m so excited to immerse myself in the culture of the Torres Strait Islands and bring joy to the kids I’ll meet, just as I am sure they’ll bring joy to me.

“The Olympics Unleashed program is so amazing at connecting Olympians to students, who have never needed inspiration and motivation more. I’m just stoked to be a part of it.”

This initiative offers AOICS graduates the opportunity to be paid as professional coaches, delivering services on behalf of their National sporting Federation and the AOC. The athletes will also share their experience with local students as part of the AOC’s school visit program – Olympics Unleashed – with presentations on Horn Island to inspire and motivate students to be their personal best.

The Australian Government, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Division, provides funding to The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to provide services to the Indian Ocean Territories.