Julie Coutts, mum of Olympic swimmer Alicia Coutts, says the years of scrimping and saving will come to fruition when she cheers on her daughter in London.Photo by Chris McCormack
Cleveland coffee shop owner Elizabeth Deakes is in London to watch son Nathan Deakes in the 50km race walk at the London Olympics. Photo by Chris McCormack
Mum Alison, dad Andy, Olympic judo athlete Arnie and Daina Dickins before the family heads off to
Larrissa Miller, second from left, with her family before flying off to compete in gymnastics at the London Olympics.
Andy and Alison Dickins, will close their Cleveland Candlewich House, to attend the London Olympics. Photo: Chris McCormack
Dad Vance Connor will watch son James in the diving in London.
THE next two weeks will be hectic for families of seven Redland athletes competing at the Olympics, which start in London on Friday.
Parents of five of our seven athletes will travel the 16,500km from Brisbane to London to watch their child compete.
It has been a thrilling trip for Birkdale's Julie Coutts, whose daughter, Alicia, has won gold in the 4x100 freestyle relay, silver in the 200m individual medley, and bronze in the 100m butterfly.
The 24-year-old is still to swim in the 4x100 medley relay, which will be held on Thursday.
Coutts' career has been dotted with tragedy and triumphs, including the death of her dad when she was seven, to having bowel surgery in 2007 and 2009. Throughout it all, her mum was a constant.
"It's been a struggle for me to get to London and I've had to scrimp and save for three years but she's also worked very hard for this and made me proud and I wouldn't miss it for anything," Mrs Coutts said.
Wellington Point's Leonie Miller is another unsung hero, who made many sacrifices while her 20-year-old daughter, Larrissa, trained to make the Australian gymnastics team.
"We'll be going to watch Larrissa but only for four days because we can't afford to go for any longer," Mrs Miller said.
Like many Olympic families, the Millers also made sacrifices and uprooted the family from Moranbah, in north Queensland, to move to Brisbane for Larrissa's career.
Dad David, who will also fly to London for the Games, stayed behind in the mining town but has since relocated to Brisbane.
Andy and Alison Dickins, from Thornlands, will also take time out of their busy schedules to go to London to watch their 20-year-old son Arnie compete in judo.
"I feel really proud he's going to this Olympics especially because his initial goal was 2016 but he worked very hard chasing down the world points to qualify," Andy said.
"I've been his coach for 16 years so it has been a labour of love," he said.
Mr and Mrs Dickins, who own Candlewick House in Cleveland, will stay with their families when in London.
Olympic diver James Connor's parents are good examples of the lengths parents go to in order for their child to succeed as an athlete.
Mum Joan lives between Ormiston and Melbourne, juggling a career with a gym club and organising James. Dad Vance stays in Melbourne to run his small business and look after his four daughters.
Both parents will drop their busy schedules to fly to London to watch as James takes to the 10m diving platform.
"The athletes do the real hard yards and the parents just try to make each situation work," Mr Connor said.
"As a parent, you have to be committee right from the word go otherwise, you may as well pull out at the beginning," he said.
The Olympic Games will run until August 12.