The news that two Old Newingtonians won medals at the Rio Olympics prompts the question: who else from Newington has competed at the Olympic Games during the modern Olympic era?

Fortunately, there is a very visible record: in the Taylor Sports Centre is an honour board listing Newington’s International Sporting Representatives. The board lists Olympic and Paralympic representatives, members of Test teams in relevant sports and representatives in other recognised international sporting competitions, dating back to 1878.

Newington’s first Olympian was Nigel Chase Barker, who attended the College from 1894–1901. A public subscription enabled him to compete at the 1906 Olympics in Athens. Representing ‘Australasia’ (New Zealand did not have a separate team at this period), he won Bronze medals in the 100 and 400 m races. The 1906 ‘Intercalated Games’ were considered to be Olympic Games at the time, but the medals presented there are not recognised by the IOC today.

Our first and only Paralympian is Stephen Wilson (ON 1989). He won two Gold Medals at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, in the T42–46 4 x 400 m and 4 x 100 m relays. In Athens in 2004 he won Silver and Bronze in the same events and, in Beijing in 2008, won Bronze again in the T42–46 4 x 100.

For the record, the two Old Newingtonians who have tasted success at Rio are both equestrians: Phillip Dutton OAM (ON 1981) and Shane Rose (ON 1991). Phillip now lives in the USA and competed in the American team, winning Bronze in the individual event. Shane won Bronze for Australia in the team eventing.

Mr David Roberts
College Archivist