- Steven Bradbury became an Australian cult hero after the 2002 Winter Olympics
- Called into ‘Olympic mode’ to organize incredible rescue in 2022
The term “doing a Bradbury” has taken on a whole new meaning.
Steven Bradbury became synonymous with unexpected success after his stunning victory at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Now, the former speed skater is being praised for his bravery after saving four girls from drowning on a beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in March 2022.
Bradbury was the last man standing in the men’s 1,000 m short track final in Salt Lake City, winning the first Winter Olympic gold medal for Australia.
Some 20 years later, he re-entered “Olympic mode” to rescue the four teenagers from rough seas at Caloundra.
Winter Olympics cult hero Steven Bradbury (pictured) has been praised for his brave conduct by Queensland Governor Jeannette Young.
Bradbury (pictured winning gold at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City) was honored after saving the lives of four girls on a Queensland beach.
His heroic acts have been officially recognized after receiving a commendation for his brave conduct from the Governor of Queensland in Brisbane this week.
“With the Olympic gold, I had been training my butt off for 14 years to get to that position,” Bradbury said.
‘I’m not sure how it compares to a bravery award.
“But it was nice to know that the body and mind could go back to Olympic mode for a few minutes when needed.”
Bradbury was teaching his son how to surf in 2022 when he saw what he thought was a log in the huge surf.
“Then I realized it was a human head,” he said. ‘I put it into gear directly. I sent my son to the lifeguards and paddled out.
Bradbury first encountered a 12-year-old girl.
“I’ve never seen anyone so scared in my life,” he said. “After that I saw three more heads further away.”
He carried the 12-year-old boy to shore before rowing toward the others.
‘One was hyperventilating and the other was panicking. They were getting hit wave after wave,” he said.
“I had all three on the board but we had no momentum.”
Steven Bradbury receives his bravery award from Queensland Governor Jeannette Young at Government House
Bradbury called the girls’ 2022 rescue on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast “one of the best days of my life.”
Suddenly the lifeguard who had been alerted by his son arrived at the scene, pulling two girls out of the water.
Bradbury brought the other young man to shore before the three teens were medically cleared.
“The first girl I pulled out of the water came running up to me on the beach afterwards and hugged me and said ‘thank you for saving my life,'” he said.
“That’s when I realized I had done something very good.”
Bradbury received his bravery award from Queensland Governor Jeannette Young, earning him praise from the Australian Olympic Committee.
“We have always admired Steven for the way he has made history on the ice, but his actions…reflect an incredible achievement: saving the lives of four young men,” said AOC President Ian Chesterman.
“He always had incredible courage as an athlete and that has served him well here.”
Bradbury may have won a historic gold, but the four-time Olympian called the 2022 save “one of the best days of my life.”
“I don’t think a bravery award is necessary, but I’m happy to accept it and I’m very proud of it,” he said.
“The feeling of knowing you’ve saved people’s lives is something I’ll take with me to the grave.”