Archer Boukouvalas Makes Olympic Debut in Paris

NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Peter Boukouvalas along with Laura Paeglis have been selected in the Australian Olympic Team in Sydney, with both athletes set to make their Olympic debut at Paris’ famed Esplanade des Invalides. 

Twenty-five-year-old Boukouvalas has been selected for the men’s individual event while twenty-two-year-old Paeglis will take on the women’s individual event in Paris.

The mixed team’s event will then be determined by the top 16 ranked teams based on the combined scores from the individual qualification round.

Sydney-local Peter Boukouvalas said he is honoured to be selected to his first Olympic Team. 

“It feels surreal. I am not sure it has fully sunk in yet that I have been selected for my first Olympic Games,” he said.

“I have just been so focused on the task at hand, which was to qualify, so I haven’t had the chance to stop and fully appreciate what I have been able to achieve.”

“To wear the Olympic Rings and the green and gold has always been a dream of mine, I am really looking forward to just taking it all in, enjoying everything the Olympics has to offer and savouring every moment I am there.”

Paris 2024 marks the 14th consecutive Olympic Games in which Australia will compete in archery, continuing our legacy that began at the Munich 1972 Games.

While Australian men have competed at every Games since then, it will be the 12th appearance for Australian women.

Today’s announcement brings the announced Australian Olympic Team size to 377 of an expected 460-strong Team.

Australian Olympic Committee President Ian Chesterman congratulated the athletes on their selection.

“I’m delighted to announce Laura and Peter to the Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024,” Mr Chesterman said.

“Being selected to your first Olympic Team is a great achievement. Both Laura and Peter should be very proud to be representing our country in Paris.”

“An athlete’s career always has ups and downs but today is reward not just for their sporting prowess, but also a big statement about their resilience and determination.”

“I had the honour of witnessing both athletes compete at the 2023 Pacific Games, and I look forward to seeing them perform on the Olympic stage in just 21 days’ time.”

“Congratulations again to the athletes, and to their family, friends, supporters and Archery Australia who have helped them reach this extraordinary milestone.”

Laura Paeglis was part of the Australian squad that secured the mixed team quota for the country at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, which also gave Australia an individual men’s and women’s quota. The Victorian cemented her place on the team over the past six months across five qualifying events.

“It feels amazing to be selected for my first Olympics, this has been a dream of mine for a long time and to be selected is just the best feeling in the world,” she said.  

“It’s almost hard to believe, after so many years of training and fighting towards this goal, to be in this position is really exciting.”

“I have been working so hard the last few years to make this happen, so I really want to go into the Olympics and perform the absolute best that I can.”

“I want to thank everyone who helped get me here, particularly my family. My dad has helped coach me, my mum has always been my biggest fan and both my siblings have always been so supportive. They’ve all just been so amazing through this whole experience.”

Archery Australia CEO Mick Maclennan welcomed today’s announcement.

“I would like to congratulate Laura and Peter on their Australian Olympic team selection representing archery,” Mr Maclennan said.

“Thank you to the coaches, support systems, institutes and clubs who contributed to fostering a community which has played an integral role in preparing these athletes for the qualifying competitions and upcoming Games, you should all be very proud of the work you have done to be here.”

“I’m looking forward to continuing to share the journey and watching on with the world at the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris.”

Article courtesy of the AOC