Campbell Harrison - Olympian Talk

On Thursday the 26th of March the year 3s to 6s met with Australian Olympian Campbell Harrison. He competed in bouldering and lead rock climbing in the 2024 olympic games. We learnt about how he became an olympian and his journey along the way. As well as the struggles he faced. This was a great learning experience for all of us. We learned about all the effort it takes to make it to olympic level and the struggles you would have to face along the way. According to Campbell’s story, being an olympian isn't all fun and games but it does have some perks.

Thank you Campbell for coming!

Campbell's story

When Campbell Harrison was only 6 years old his father suffered in a car accident and broke his spine paralysing him from the waist down causing him to be stuck in a wheelchair for a major period of his life, his father was stuck in rehabilitation for 12 months then transferred home in a wheelchair and later regained the ability to walk with a cane or a frame. When Campbell was 8 his father took him and his siblings to a rock climbing place for the first time, Campbell instantly fell in love and started going there 2-3 times a week. In 2012 at only 14 Campbell was selected for a competing team and later in 2019 tried out for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, on the tryout week covid 19 suddenly broke out. At the same time Campbell's older sister, Emma was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and Campbell was given the chance to either cross the border back to Victoria before it closed or stay in new south whales and go to the Olympics, it was a tough decision but after some thinking he instantly chose to go to Victoria before his sister had to start chemotherapy. Soon enough the Paris 2024 olympic tryouts popped round the corner and Campbell was hesitant to do it but he did, in 2024 he found out he was going to the olympics and started crying on the floor because he was so happy. Overall he came 19th and scored a total of 23.4 points. He was very happy with his result and decided he is going to try out for the los angelas 2028 olympic hoping to get in.

Overall we had an amazing meeting Campell Harrison time and are very grateful for the experience

 By Pippa M & Piper R

6KF