Charles Sturt University (CSU) is proud to announce seven of its students and alumni are headed to Rio de Janeiro to compete in the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Following final selection announcements, CSU can confirm it will have three current students and four alumni representing Australia at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics.

CSU alumnus Mr Kurt Fearnley, OAM, is the co-captain of the Australian team for the Rio Paralympic Games in September and will compete in the wheelchair marathon. Mr Fearnley is a three time Paralympic gold medalist, CSU Pro Chancellor for the Northern region of NSW and graduated in 2006 from CSU's  School of Teacher Education in Bathurst.

The current CSU students who will compete at the 2016 Olympic Games include two members of the Australian Women's Rugby Sevens team, Ms Alicia Quirk of Wagga Wagga who is studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Ms Nicole Beck of Bulli who is studying a Bachelor of Educational Studies.

The third CSU student athlete to be selected is Ms Kaarle McCulloch of Campbelltown who is studying a Bachelor of Education (Health and PE) and will travel to Rio as a reserve for the Australian track cycling team. 

CSU alumni 2016 Olympic athletes include Mr Ben St Lawrence who will compete in the 10,000 metres long-distance running event, Ms Amanda Spratt who will compete in road cycling, and Ms Lyndal Oatley who will compete (riding her horse Sandro Boy) in the dressage event as a member of the equestrian team.

CSU Student Liaison Officer (Elite Athletes and Sport) Ms Kate Staniforth said, "We are delighted that all of our Charles Sturt University elite athletes who were in contention to represent Australia in Rio have been selected.

"Representing your country at the Olympics or Paralympics is the pinnacle of sporting achievement, and Charles Sturt University is thrilled to have seven athletes to cheer on from afar in August and September," Ms Staniforth said.

"We wish Alicia, Nicole, Kaarle, Ben, Amanda, Lyndal and Kurt all the very best for their competitions in Rio and look forward to watching them in action, and hopefully they can bring home some medals."

CSU is a member of the Elite Athlete Friendly University Network, which recognises the additional support and flexibility required by students who are also competing or performing at an elite level. The University is dedicated to supporting elite athletes, elite sports personnel and elite performers in their quest for academic success by offering flexible study and support options that help them juggle the demands of training and travel while pursuing study.