As the Australian athletes made their way to the final piece in their pre departure puzzle, the team assembly, one proud family stood out amongst the crowd as they proudly watched on as their daughter, Bella Fassau, wrapped up her preparations for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympics.
As the Australian athletes made their way to the final piece in their pre departure puzzle, the team assembly, one proud family stood out amongst the crowd as they proudly watched on as their daughter, Bella Faasau, wrapped up her preparations for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympics.
The Faasau family, a contingent of seven, stood as one as AOC president John Coates, Chef De Mission Nick Green and three time Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett, amongst others, wished Bella and her 99 team mates luck for the journey ahead.
Older brother Don couldn’t hide his excitement as he said a final farewell to his sister before she joined the rest of her Singapore bound team mates on the bus.
“I am very proud. To see my sister go overseas for sport is a really big honour.
Bella was always playing football, but then she started playing European Handball and is now representing Australia. Me and my parents are all very proud.”
Admitting that she was surprised that her hard work and persistence paid off with a chance to represent Australia, Bella noted her family has played a big role in getting her to this stage in her career.
“My parents and family have always been very supportive. They all try to make all my games.
My brother Don is a big help because he is my taxi driver. He takes me to all my training and games.”
Bella and her teammates will make history at the inaugural Youth Olympics, being the first handball team to travel offshore and compete at an Olympic event.
The team will kick off their Singapore 2010 campaign against handball powerhouse Denmark on August 20 at Singapore’s international convention centre.
Matt Bartolo
AOC
