FROM the sleepy rolling paddocks of Boorcan to the awe-inspiring spectacle of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Wayne Roycroft’s extraordinary equestrian skills have been officially recognised.
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Mr Roycroft has been awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for a sporting career that catapulted the former Camperdown district man to nine Olympic games as a competitor and coach.
The 68-year-old won bronze medals at the Mexico City 1968 and Montreal 1976 games before being honoured as Australia’s flag bearer at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics, walking past then president Ronald Reagan.
The son of late Olympic champion Bill Roycroft, the now Queensland resident went on to be the equestrian coach at the Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 games.
He also previously served as Equestrian Federation of Australia president and national selector as well as Federation Equestre Internationale chairman.
Mr Roycroft was one of a number of prominent Australians to be recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Other famous names include television presenter Mike Munro, celebrity commentator Richard Wilkins, former parliamentary speaker Harry Jenkins, Lonely Planet travel guide founder Tony Wheeler and marathon runner Steve Moneghetti.