Hero: Paralympic bronze medallist Col Pearse with super-fan Jade Rourke. Photo: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
On Tuesday, December 7, Paralympic bronze medallist Col Pearse visited Echuca’s Twin Rivers Specialist School to meet super-fan Jade Rourke.
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Jade was impressed with Col’s performance and journey to Tokyo, and so mum Vanessa reached out to Col’s mum Teena on social media to arrange a meeting.
Jade was able to recite the statistics and facts he had learned about his hero when they met, and shared his own goal of competing alongside Col.
“I would love to swim in Paris 2024 in the 100m Mens Freestyle S14,” Jade said.
“Col is my favourite swimmer, and in Paris 2024, I will be 18, which is how old Col is now.
“I was a small baby from Echuca, and now I am meeting an Echuca swimming legend.”
Col brought his bronze medal along for the meeting, allowing Jade and some of the other students from the school to get a close-up look at the prize.
Celebration: Col Pearse and the kids from Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School. Photo: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Big smile: Jade Rourke with Col Pearse’s bronze medal. Photo: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
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