At the age of 10, Doreen’s Laura Paeglis received her first bow from her grandpa who told her at the time she would one day go to the Olympics.
Now the 22-year-old has embarked on her grandpa’s words, and made her debut at the 2024 Olympic Games Paris, taking on archery in the Women’s Individual alongside debutant Peter Boukouvalas in the Men’s Individual.
The 2024 Olympic Games Paris is the 14th consecutive Games in which Australia will compete in archery, and while Australian men have competed since the sport returned at Munich in 1972, it will be the 12th appearance for Australian women.
For the last few years, Paeglis has fired many arrows to reach the Olympics, securing her spot in Paris after being part of the 2023 Pacific Games team that won four gold medals in the Solomon Islands.
After missing out on the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Paeglis’s dream finally came true.
“It feels amazing to be selected for my first Olympics. This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and to be selected is just the best feeling in the world,” she said.
“It’s almost hard to believe, after so many years of training and fighting towards this goal, to be in this position is really exciting.
“I want to thank everyone who helped get me here, particularly my family. My dad has helped coach me, my mum has always been my biggest fan, and both my siblings have always been so supportive. They’ve all just been so amazing through this whole experience.”
Prior to the Olympics, Paeglis represented Australia at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in 2018.
Paeglis started her Olympic journey on July 25 during the Women’s Individual ranking round, recording the highest score by an Australian woman in Olympic archery in nearly 30 years.
With a score of 640 from her 72 arrows in the round, Paeglis came in at 44th, and is now set to take on France’s Caroline Lopez in the 1/32 ranking round.
Paeglis and Boukouvalas won’t feature in the knockout rounds in the Mixed Doubles, however, as their combined score was not high enough to qualify.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell congratulated Paeglis on securing her spot at the Olympics.
“The Olympics are a very special time for all Australians to get behind our sports people, and especially to cheer on our local champions,” he said.
“It is exciting for our community to have one of our own wearing the green and gold.
“Laura is an exceptional athlete, and it will be a special moment for her and her family to compete at the Olympics and she should be very proud to achieve this dream.
“We will be behind her 100 per cent as she gives her all for her country and we wish her every success.”
To support Paeglis, follow her on Instagram at @laurapaeglisarchery.
