Neill was part of the Australian men's 4x200-metre freestyle relay team alongside Alexander Graham, Kyle Chalmers and Zac Incerti that finished third, with the 19-year-old recording the fastest time in his quartet, leading them home on the anchor leg.

"As I prepared for the Tokyo Olympics, I found it difficult to ensure good progress in my studies as I was always away racing or on training camps," said Neill, a student in advanced business.

"Staff from UQ Sport's Elite Athlete Programme helped me manage my studies, and make sure there was sound communication with lecturers to give me practical solutions in which I could swim for Australia, and also achieve good university results.

"Trying to be a successful athlete while balancing university comes with its challenges, however, the support shown by the entire UQ Sport team helps to alleviate these stresses and worries that come with being a student-athlete.

"I really could not have won an Olympic medal without the aid of my Sporting Scholarship, and the support from UQ Sport."

He was one of seven student-athletes who have been given funding as part of the 2022 UQ Sporting Scholarship, that competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sailor Mara Stransky-Smith was another Olympian given funding after finishing 14th in the women's laser radial at the Games.

Tokyo Paralympic swimming champions Lakeisha Patterson and Rachael Watson are also beneficiaries, as are Australian Olympic water polo players Abby Andrews and Gabi Palm.

Rower Ria Thompson will receive funding too after claiming bronze at the Olympics in the women's quadruple sculls with Rowena Meredith, Harriet Hudson and Caitlin Cronin.

A total of 47 scholarships have been given out with other notable names including water ski jumping champion Jacinta Carroll, diver Emily Meaney and netballer Kim Jenner.

Of these, 16 are new recipients, while 31 have received funding from the scholarship before.