- Couple Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle on their way to the Olympic Games
- Maley and Whittle both play for the Australian 3×3 basketball team
- Athletes aim to be role models for struggling LGBTQIA+ people
Basketball players Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle not only hope to win gold together for Australia at the Paris Olympics, they also want to inspire people in the LGBTQIA+ community who are struggling with their identity.
Maley and Whittle play together on the Australian 3×3 basketball team and are preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris later this month.
The proud gay couple are determined to share the stage together, but also want to send a message to people in their community who are confused about their identity.
“It’s about creating something that is normal and gives visibility to the LGBTQIA+ community,” Maley said News Corp.
‘Of course it’s about basketball, but how cool is it that we can be an example for the younger boys and girls who will be seen on the Olympic podium.
“Some young people might be afraid to talk about something (about their sexuality), so hopefully seeing us at the Olympics will reassure them and help them in some way.”
Maley and Whittle are also looking forward to competing in Paris, a city they have both always admired.
“I get to go to the Olympics with my own person,” Maley said of Whittle.
Proud couple Anneli Maley (right) and Marena Whittle are going to the Olympic Games in Paris
The basketball players hope to inspire other people who struggle with their identity
‘I get to see not only all the hard work I’ve put into it, but all the work Marena has done behind the scenes, which is really amazing.
“An achievement to go to the Olympics with my life partner is pretty cool. It’s something we can talk about at the wedding and in the years to come when we’re gray and old.”
The Australian 3×3 basketball team won the FIBA Asian Cup title in early 2024 and is the first Australian 3×3 team to compete in the Olympic Games.
The team is currently ranked 29th in the world and is in great form, thanks in part to a recent victory over China.
Maley believes the Australian team can podium in Paris.
“We have to have faith,” she said.
Maley says she will talk about the Olympics with her life partner for years to come
‘One of the most important things when playing 3×3 is believing in yourself.
‘It’s a 10-minute match, so there’s no room to ask questions about anything.
‘It’s a race to 21, but I think as a group we just performed really well.’
In 2023, the couple spoke about the challenges of living apart while playing in different national teams.
“The main thing was that we built our own careers first and at some point in the future we would get together,” Maley told The West Australian. The Dribble podcast.
“But there’s no pressure to do that. We don’t have to. If it happens, it happens.
‘I would love to play in the same team as them because we play together in the Australian 3×3 team and we are unstoppable in that area.’