Jermayne Takapautolo Logan Hospital Radiographer
Patients at Logan Hospital may know radiographer Jermayne Takapautolo as the friendly face behind their X-rays, but outside of the hospital, he’s racing towards the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of the Australian Bobsleigh Team.
Currently training for the international qualifiers, Jermayne has been balancing his shifts in medical imaging with the high-adrenaline world of bobsleigh. It’s an unusual double life for someone based in Brisbane, far from the ice tracks of Europe and North America, but one that has quickly become his passion.
“I only discovered bobsleigh less than a year ago when I saw an ad for open tryouts. I thought, why not give it a go? Within months, I was competing at the World Championships,” Jermayne said.
At Logan Hospital, Jermayne has been part of the radiography team for more than three years. He plays a crucial role in providing diagnostic imaging for patients, supporting emergency care, surgeries, and everyday health needs.
“Radiography is something I love. It’s hands-on, it makes a real difference in people’s lives, and I’ve been proud to be part of the hospital’s growth and expansion,” he said.
“The support I’ve had from my colleagues has been incredible, especially as I take on this unexpected sporting journey.”
Bobsleigh is one of the most dangerous and expensive winter sports, with athletes hurtling down icy tracks at speeds of up to 160 km/h. For Jermayne, that means not only training overseas in Canada and the United States (where specialist ice tracks exist) but also helping his team maintain their second-hand sleds by hand.
“It’s a sport that demands everything: your time, money, and commitment,” he said.
“But it also gives back so much. The team has become family, and the dream of representing Australia keeps us pushing through.”
The Australian team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the last Winter Olympics, but Jermayne and his teammates are determined to change that when qualification races begin in November across Whistler (Canada), Park City (USA), and Lake Placid (USA).
If successful, Jermayne and his team will represent Australia at the Winter Games in Italy in February 2026 — a true Cool Runnings story for a Logan Hospital radiographer chasing Olympic ice.