As members of HMAS Sydney’s ship’s company watched the Paris 2024 Olympics on TV, they were inspired to have their own mini olympics on the vessel’s flight deck.
Run by physical training instructor Leading Seaman Marcus Dawson, Sydney’s events consisted of a fastest 500m row, tug-of-war heats, a heaviest deadlift competition, and tunnel ball and over-under relays.
“Competitions like this bring the ship’s company together, whether it’s the teams coming together from departments, a mix of branches together or the rest of the crew coming out to spectate and cheer everyone on, it creates a sense of camaraderie and friendly rivalry,” Leading Seaman Dawson said.
The engineers team, comprised of marine technicians and an assistant marine engineer office, won the most medals across the competition.
Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Simone Macintosh said after a busy couple of weeks off Hawaii it was good for the ship’s company to compete in a whole-ship event.
“The highlight for me was seeing the teams come together and create their own flag for the opening ceremony and parade around the flight deck,” Lieutenant Commander Macintosh said.
To end the day of friendly competition on a high, a movie on the flight deck was shown later that night.
“Watching a movie under the stars in the middle of the ocean is an experience I’d never get anywhere else,” crew member Able Seaman Sam Hayde said.
HMAS Sydney is conducting a regional presence deployment to enhance cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies.
