Over the past five weeks I have had the privilege to be selected for and compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. What an amazing experience it was to represent Australia in the biggest sporting competition in the world, one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. With lots of individuals, families and communities struggling all over the world this past year and a half with COVID19, it was wonderful to see the world come together in an event that unites us all. Ever since I was young, I always dreamed of becoming an Olympian and getting to race against the best in the world, and now I have had that chance it’s more amazing than I could have ever imagined.
The Olympic experience was absolutely fantastic!! Getting to see and talk to athletes from different countries around the world was super cool and everyone I had a chat with was awesome. Being in the village was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced, getting to meet Eliud Kipchoge at breakfast or Sam Fricker in the Australian tower was amazing. The Japanese organisers were extremely accommodating and the 24 hour dining hall and walking at the closing ceremony were some of the best parts of the experience!
My race, the 20km racewalk, was so fun! It was so cool to stand on the start line and race against girls that I have looked up to for a long time, alongside my 2 teammates and friends. While the conditions were really tough, with 34 degree heat and 60% humidity, the excitement of the race was still there. It was so awesome to have my coach and the Japanese public to cheer all the girls on, from start to finish!! Once I had crossed the line, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, despite being exhausted. I am so excited to get out there and do it all again in Paris 2024!
I’ve heard lots of stories about people watching the games while in lockdown in Australia, either working from home or home-schooling. Hopefully those kids watching from home were inspired by all the athletes competing and can channel that into their life, to become the best possible versions of themselves. Anyone who has a dream of going to the Olympics and is willing to put in the hard work, can definitely get there!! To any kids who love sport; just keep having fun, believing in yourself and finding enjoyment through sport!! The Olympics is such a great event to be a part of and I can’t wait to do it again in the future, as well as watch the next generation come through and do their best for themselves and Australia!!
