Basketball power couple hoping to make history at Paris Olympics

• Couple Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle heading to Olympics
• Maley and Whittle both play in Australian 3×3 basketball team
• Athletes want to set example for struggling LGBTQIA+ people

Basketballers Anneli Maley and Marena Whittle are not only hoping to win gold for Australia at the Paris Olympics together – they are looking to inspire those in the LGBTQIA+ community who are struggling with their identities.

Maley and Whittle play together on the Australian 3×3 basketball team and are gearing up for the Paris Games later this month.

The proud same-sex couple are determined to get on the podium together, but also want to fly the flag for people in their community who are confused with their identities.

‘It’s about getting to create something that is normal and to have visibility for the LGBTQIA+ community,’ Maley told News Corp.

‘It’s obviously about basketball, but how cool is it that we get to be that example for the younger girls and boys who get to see that representation on an Olympic stage.

‘Some young ones may be afraid to stay something (about their sexuality), so hopefully seeing us at the Olympics can put them at ease and help in some way.’

Maley and Whittle are also excited about competing in Paris – a city they have both always admired.

‘I get to go to the Olympics with my person,’ Maley said about Whittle.

‘I get to see not only all the hard work that I’ve put in, but I’ve also seen all the work that Marena has put in behind the scenes and it’s pretty amazing.

‘An achievement to go to the Olympics with my life partner is pretty cool. It’s something that we’ll get to talk about at the wedding and for years to come when we are grey and old.’

The Australian women’s 3×3 basketball squad won the FIBA Asian Cup title earlier in 2024 and are set to become the first Aussie 3×3 team to compete at the Olympics.

The side is currently ranked 29 in the world and have been in terrific form with a recent win over China.

Maley believes the Aussie team can podium in Paris.

‘We have to be confident,’ she said.

‘That’s one of the most important things playing 3×3 is the self-belief.

‘It’s a 10 minute game, so there is no room for you to question anything.

‘It’s a race to 21, but I think as a group we have just performed so well.’

In 2023, the couple spoke of the hassle of living apart while playing in different domestic teams.

‘The most important part was us establishing our own careers first and then we’ll come together at some point in the future,’ Maley told The West Australian’s 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 on the same team as her because we play in the Australian 3×3 team together and we’re unstoppable in that space.’