A Commonwealth Games gold medalist, an Olympian and a four-time CrossFit Games champion – Tia-Clair Toomey has achieved more than most in her career.

But the Weipa product has her sights set on another major challenge, representing Australia at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Yes, you read that correctly, the Winter Olympics.

Having grown up in northern Queensland, Toomey will try and qualify for the Australian bobsled team. She has even relocated to South Korea with husband Shane Orr, also from Weipa, to train with the best in the world.

Almost two years ago, Toomey was contacted by the Australian bobsled team who were keen to recruit the Olympian and CrossFit champion.

“The fact that I have the opportunity to potentially represent my country in a different sport is just so humbling, it’s such an honour,” she said.

“It’s a bit of a strange thing how I found myself in this position, but I’m so excited to see what this new journey and adventure can provide.”

Toomey represented her country in weightlifting at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

But she’s not retired from CrossFit. The 27-year-old will return to the United States next month to resume her training for a fifth-straight title.

“Honestly, it just couldn’t have played out any better; in my eyes (the two sports) only complement each other.”

This article appeared in Cape York Weekly, 18 January 2021.