The Olympic gold medallist, Kelland O’Brien who was born and raised in Lilydale has won a Victorian Sport Awards (VSAs) presented by the State Government of Victoria and Vicsport.
O’Brien won the Frank Wilkes award on Wednesday 14 May which recognises a Victorian individual athlete who has achieved outstanding results in respect to performance/s at a national or international level in the male category during the 2024 year.
O’Brien started his cycling career at the Lilydale BMX Club before becoming a decorated national cyclist. Being a member of the Australian team Pursuit quartet, and winning gold at Paris Olympics which was Australia’s first track gold since 2012 while also claiming a world record time in the semi-finals.
In the 2024 Paris Olympic games, O’Brien alongside his teammates Sam Welsford, Conor Leahy and Oliver Bleddyn, completed the pursuit race in three minutes and 42 seconds to claim gold over arch-rivals Great Britain.
“It was a heated battle as it always is, hats off to those guys they rode an amazing race, and we just stuck to our process and nailed it,” O’Brien said.
Tom Reynolds, the St Kilda Cycling Club president, said at the time that the 26-year-old showed his dedication and focus.
“Winning a gold medal has been one of Kell’s dreams since he started his cycling career, and his success on the track and on the road inspires all of us.
“His gold medal is the highlight of an incredibly busy year for Kell. He’s raced in more than a dozen international stage and one-day races this year, with more to come.”
The VSAs recognise people across individual and team athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, administrators, media personnel and the initiatives that promoted participation.
“Being able to recognise and celebrate the grassroots heroes throughout Victorian sport and active recreation alongside those who excelled at an elite level is what makes the Victorian Sport Awards such a special night,” Vicsport chair Jason Hellwig said.
