Michael Ronald Grenda OAM

The highlight of a relatively short but brilliant cycling career for Michael Grenda was his 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games 4000 metres team pursuit gold medal. He became Tasmania's first Olympic gold medallist with that prestigious win but he was already destined for greatness as he came from a noted cycling family and his great natural talent was brought to the fore because of that background and his capacity for hard work.

His path to success started in 1982 when he won the National amateur 20km track championship and in the same year was selected for the Brisbane Commonwealth Games where he and his team mates set themselves up as one of the world's best 4000 metres pursuit teams by winning the gold medal.

Turning professional in 1985, Grenda was quick to make his mark in this tough arena and Australian titles in sprint, madison, criterium, 50km points score, individual and team pursuit events soon followed.

Following a short but very successful career on the Japanese professional circuit, Michael retired in 1991 as one of Tasmania's sporting heroes, a champion cyclist and a wonderful ambassador for his sport and his State.