The Yarning Circle at Paris 2024
In his role as a First Nations Capability Officer for the Australian Sports Commission and Indigenous Olympic Advisor, Hore instigated the Yarning Circle for Australian athletes in the Olympic Village in France’s capital.
“The Yarning Circle in the middle highlights that the athletes, coaches and team are supported by our past, our 60 known Indigenous Olympians who provide connection to home and culture,” wrote Hore on Instagram alongside a picture of the artwork he was commissioned to create around which the athletes would congregate.
“Together it shares the stories and knowledge that propels our athletes forward, represented by the kangaroo, emu and ancestral footsteps.”
“The green evolving shapes represent our country’s sporting teams, ever evolving into something greater than they were before and supported by the many around them.
“This artwork is to remind you, you are not alone, you have wisdom, strength and encouragement all around you.”
Further revealing that the kangaroo and emu prints are important to include as “two animals that can’t walk backwards and that’s why we put them as our coat of arms because Australia’s always moving forward”, Hore went on to describe how the Yarn Up area was used by the Australian team.
“That’s where they met their Chef de Missions, Anna Meares and deputy Kyle Vander-Kuyp, who would talk to them and sit around the circle and just explain the rules and wish them luck.”
Different teams also used the spot as a meeting place before getting on the bus to the venues, or for a place to debrief, or even just share experiences during the pressure-cooker environment of an Olympic Games.
“When you talk about all the artwork, that one probably is the most special one to me because of me being at the Games and me seeing some artwork at the Olympics as well,” said Hore.
And it’s not just the summer editions of Olympic Games in which Hore, who resides in the sub-tropical climate of the Sunshine Coast, has made his mark.