Tales from the Olympics

RWC agent’s past life as a Socceroos star

RWC Greater Sydney South agent Charlie Yankos OAM has achieved something many people don’t dare to dream of - he was an Olympic athlete.

Charlie was a defender for the Socceroos between 1984 and 1990, and was talented enough to go to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where the Socceroos made the quarterfinals.

He started his football career at 15 playing for Melbourne’s Heidelberg United, before going on to play 49 games for Australia.

He said there were many highlights to his career, with a major one being his Olympic tour.

“I had many memorable moments throughout my football career,” Charlie said.

“Highlights included reaching the quarterfinals at the Olympics, having the honour of being the captain of the team, and scoring against Argentina in our 4:1 victory during the 1988 Bicentennial Gold Cup tournament. “

The 1988 Gold Cup goal is something Charlie is most famous for, scoring a remarkable long-range goal from 30 yards against Argentina, who were the world champions at the time.

Charlie’s real estate career actually began while he was playing for the Socceroos, meaning he has worked in the industry for almost 40 years.

“We were semi-professional so I worked for Westfield, starting my real estate career in 1987,” he said.

“So I have been involved in the commercial property sector for a long time.”

He identifies competition, leadership and success as key connections between the sporting and business arenas.

“There are a lot of parallels between the real estate industry and sport at an elite level,” Charlie said.

“It’s fiercely competitive and the rewards for high achievement are great.”

Little athlete steps up as Olympic torch bearer

A Little Athletics star since the age of four, Ray White Special Projects administrator Emma Harris dreamed of carrying the Olympic torch when the Olympics came to Sydney in 2000.

At 11 and a half years old, Emma thought her dreams had been dashed after she was told she was six months too young to carry the Olympic torch, but, as fate would have it, someone dropped out on the day, and Emma was called to action.

“The morning of June 27, 2000, I was getting off the school bus when my friends were standing at the gate of the school yelling at me. My dad pulled up in the car told me to get in as I was going to carry the Olympic torch,” Emma said.

“As we were in the city and I had to get to Palm Cove it was going to be a challenge as the Torch Relay was almost at Smithfield and the main roads were already blocked so we had to do some off-roading to get to Palm Cove in time.

“Once I arrived, I was given my uniform to change into. I had a police escort, torch relay aid due to my age, and my dad with me while waiting for the flame to come. The rest of my family was on the beach waiting.

“Once it arrived, I was so nervous that I couldn't get the flame to light and the policeman had to assist. Once I got it lit I ran my 550m with lots of concentration as there was a news crew on a bike riding in front filming everything, so I didn't want to mess up.

“It was a surreal experience and one I will never forget.”