Dean Lukin
Encyclopedia
Dinko Lukin OAM
(born 26 May 1960 in Sydney
and moved to Port Lincoln, South Australia
when he was 5) is a retired weightlifter from Australia
, who won the gold medal in the Super Heavyweight category at the 1984 Summer Olympics
. He carried the Australian flag during the closing ceremony of the 1984 games, and remains Australia's only Olympic gold medalist for weightlifting. The 1984 games were boycotted by the Soviet bloc, thereby removing the main competition. He also saw success in the Commonwealth Games
, winning gold medals in the super heavyweight division of the 1982 Brisbane games
and the 1986 Edinburgh games
.
Lukin was a tuna
fisherman who shot to fame as a weightlifter in the 1980s, then returned to run the family fishery business. In 2000, a portrait of him was hung in the Archibald Prize
called Strongest Man of the Games, painted by David Bromley.
In a press conference following his 1984 Olympic gold medal, Lukin reportedly told assembled journalists that instead of focusing upon his victory, they should assemble for the disabled games and show those competitors as much time and respect as they had shown him. This was because their achievments were "far greater than mine."
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 26 May 1960 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and moved to Port Lincoln, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
when he was 5) is a retired weightlifter from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, who won the gold medal in the Super Heavyweight category at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
. He carried the Australian flag during the closing ceremony of the 1984 games, and remains Australia's only Olympic gold medalist for weightlifting. The 1984 games were boycotted by the Soviet bloc, thereby removing the main competition. He also saw success in the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
, winning gold medals in the super heavyweight division of the 1982 Brisbane games
1982 Commonwealth Games
The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 30 September–9 October 1982. The Opening Ceremony was held at the QEII Stadium , in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The QEII Stadium was also the venue which was used for the athletics and archery competitions during the...
and the 1986 Edinburgh games
1986 Commonwealth Games
The 1986 Commonwealth Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland for the second time. The Games were held from 24 July-2 August 1986.-Organisation and Controversy:...
.
Lukin was a tuna
Tuna
Tuna is a salt water fish from the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Tuna are fast swimmers, and some species are capable of speeds of . Unlike most fish, which have white flesh, the muscle tissue of tuna ranges from pink to dark red. The red coloration derives from myoglobin, an...
fisherman who shot to fame as a weightlifter in the 1980s, then returned to run the family fishery business. In 2000, a portrait of him was hung in the Archibald Prize
Archibald Prize
The Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize in Australia. It was first awarded in 1921 after a bequest from J. F. Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin who died in 1919...
called Strongest Man of the Games, painted by David Bromley.
In a press conference following his 1984 Olympic gold medal, Lukin reportedly told assembled journalists that instead of focusing upon his victory, they should assemble for the disabled games and show those competitors as much time and respect as they had shown him. This was because their achievments were "far greater than mine."