'A Dream Come True': Old Girls Celebrate Success at Tokyo Olympics

It was an exciting Olympic campaign for the Perth College community, who was cheering on two Old Girls representing Australia on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Rower, Giorgia Patten (2016), was selected to make her Olympic debut as part of the Australian Women’s Eight and swimmer, Brianna Throssell (2013), jumped in the pool for five events at her second Olympics.

In a chat with the Myalla, Giorgia described seeing her name listed for the team as a “dream come true”.

“When I was officially selected in the Women’s Eight, I initially felt an overwhelming sense of relief, which was quickly followed by an eagerness and excitement of what was ahead. It felt hugely rewarding for the work I’ve done in the lead up to get there and I couldn’t wait to get out there in the Eight and start training,” she said.

“I was the youngest in the crew but surrounded by some amazingly experienced and successful athletes which really built my confidence in what we were capable of achieving.”

Giorgia has had a decorated career since leaving Perth College, rowing for WA in the Youth Eight in 2017 and 2018, and the Senior Women’s Eight in 2019 and 2021. Among her achievements, she is also a national U23 and senior champion and placed second at the World U23 Championships.

In Tokyo, the Australian Women's Eight placed third in their heat, fourth in the repechage and fifth in the Olympic A final and, while it wasn’t quite the result the team was hoping for, Giorgia said her Olympic experience was a mix of excitement and “tough lessons to be learnt”.

“Whilst feeling disappointed that I didn’t come home with a medal, I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Australia at the Olympic Games and proud to call myself an Olympian,” she said.

As for what’s next, Giorgia said Tokyo had only inspired her to continue breaking more of her own boundaries.

"This result has added fuel to my fire looking forward to Paris 2024,” she said.

“I’m back in Perth now and returning to Curtin University this semester to continue my Physiotherapy degree, which I will complete at the end of next year, and I’ll continue training whilst studying.

“The aim is to relocate to the Women’s National Training Centre in Sydney at the end of next year after completing my studies, and hopefully continue pushing towards selection for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.”

Meanwhile, Brianna swam to success in the Tokyo Olympics pool in five events, bringing home one gold and two bronze medals for her swims in multiple relay heats.

Brianna was a part of the team to win gold in the 4 x 200m Women’s Freestyle Relay and bronze in both the Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay and Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay.

She also placed eighth in the Women’s 200m Butterfly final and sixth in her semi-final of the Women’s 100m Butterfly, narrowly missing out on a spot in the final.