Home Stretch
Plus heartbreak in Switzerland
While the news is all about the heart break of Sam Kerr being ruled out of the Olympics with her knee injury. The hearts of 8 Australian rowers broke in Lucerne.
The final qualification regatta for the Olympics was held from Sunday to Tuesday, with the finals being held on Tuesday.
Australia have already qualified 9 of the 14 boats for the Olympics but were trying to qualify a women’s lightweight double scull, mens double scull and men’s quadruple scull. The top 2 in each final would secure Olympic spots. The men’s double and women’s lightweight finished a close 3rd in their finals, while the mens quad finished 6th after qualifying 2nd fastest from the heats. These athletes now face the long journey back home having failed the task they came to do. I’m writing this from the bus to Lucerne with rest of the team in preparation for the World Cup 2 Regatta being held this weekend. (We are delayed 2-3 hours after a traffic jam, with a view of the most spectacular snow covered mountain (I’ll have to share a photo another time, has my bus wifi limit has been reached, or feel free to check out Capital Sports Massage on Instagram).
I cannot think of another job other than a doctor or sugreon where one mistake or underperformance has so much resting on it (a patients life or death) Most jobs allow or mistakes and bad days, but a mistake or an off day as a professional athlete is the difference between winning and losing, being selected for the team or qualifying for an Olympic Games.
My hope for these athletes is once they’ve processed their emotions and the result, they will look back on this and be proud that they never gave up and that there are lessons to be learned from every life experience.
We arrived in Gavirate (Italy) just over a week ago after 31 hours of travel. I will be supporting the team for the two pre=Olympic World Cup Regattas in Lucerne and Poznan before arriving back to Canberra on the 1st of July.
The lead up to my depature was busy, finishing placement, completing as many uni assessments as possible, packing and spending time with family and friends.
I have two uni assignments left (due 28th May and 5th June) and I’m looking forward to having them submitted and being fully present to my work experience. (I am also looking forward to reading books again!).
I am looking forward to the 16 and a half days I have in Canberra in July before heading to Paris to support the Australian athletes at the Olympics. I won’t have any work or uni and I’ll be able to decompress from my 7 weeks with Rowing Australia, rest, recover, socialise and most importantly play with my niece Zoe who will turn 2 while I am away.
I’m plan to continue writing about whatever comes to my mind during this journey in Europe sharing my experience with anyone who is interested.
To the readers who have been with me since day once, thank you, to my new readers, welcome. Who are you? What brought you here? What are you hoping for me to write about?
Till next time :)