McSweyn arrives in Paris for Olympics campaign

Stewart McSweyn on the final leg of his Paris sojourn – the bus to the Olympic Village. Picture: JACKY RICHARDS

KING Island's Stuart McSweyn has arrived in Paris for his Olympics campaign, where he will compete in both the 5,000 and 1,500 metre running events.

Meanwhile, McSweyn’s parents Jacky Richards and Scott McSweyn started their own exciting Olympic journey this week.

Flying from King Island on Tuesday they met up with their daughter Carmen in Melbourne then flew on to Paris to support their son in his bid for gold in the Olympic 1500m and 5000m in the Stade de France.

While Jacky said she would be ’s just as happy to watch Stewie’s races from the couch it was important to be there.

“Family support is and has always been important to him,” she said.

“It’s constant, consistent hard work for him and doing the hard yards. He has been known for his longer-distance running and I think the athletics world was a bit surprised when he achieved the 1500m times.

“I spoke to him a few nights ago and he seemed fine and was looking forward to joining the rest of the Olympic teams in the Olympic Village,” Jacky said.

“He just wants to get on with it and compete; I think that’s what all the athletes feel right now.

“It’s a privilege to be engaged at such a level,” Jacky said.

“Stew wants to achieve goals and he achieves them. Stew is unique and has many strengths outside of athletics.

“He is generous, has solid values, and is insightful. Stew knows that there is a limit to this athletic life.

“Stew is very focused, and he appreciates the support from family, friends and the community of King Island where he grew up.

“An athlete needs this support, and he knows that, and we know that.

“He knows that the community is behind him, and he appreciates his hometown little island and her community,” Jacky said.