It was a much more dominant set that ended 21-13 in Australia’s favour. The victory sees Australia secure its first beach volleyball medal since Natalie Cook and Pottharst won at Sydney 2000.
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“We stayed really patient because there was a bit of a patch where I don’t think we were right where we wanted to be but we stayed really strong and took time out in the second set. “So proud of Mariafe. We have one more step. An excited de Solar made it clear what she wanted to take home. “Gold baby! We’re playoff – we’ve played some good games but we’re ready for it,” she yelled.
Following the disappointing results in London, mining magnate Gina Rinehart of Hancock Prospecting quietly stepped in with a huge financial contribution to sponsor four different Olympic disciplines; swimming, rowing, volleyball and artistic swimming. That was clearly a turning point. Now, this long-term commitment, involving establishing training centres and paying salaries, has borne fruit.
“We are one of the best teams in the world,” Clancy said. “Everybody is, that’s why it’s the Olympics. “It was tough that we had to face Mel and Sarah this early, but it’s such a great opportunity that we got to take on that battle early. “Now we just have to do it all over again.”
“We’re in a really good place – mentally, physically, emotionally – and ready to take revenge.”
Australia is through to the semifinals of the women’s beach volleyball competition.
“This is the part that we absolutely love, now it’s all knockout from here. We love these moments as a team. We just relish them so much.”
“It’s been gold in Noosa” said Steven Titmus of the week parents of the Australian Dolphins, our Olympic swimmers spent together in Noosa watching their children swim in Tokyo. The parents of Dolphins swimmers or PODS, as they are known, were unable to go to the Tokyo Olympics because of Covid restrictions but with the help of Swimming Australia patron and mining magnate Gina Rinehart, they united in Noosa.