How prospective Olympians Georgia Godwin and Lidiia Iakovleva were helped in COVID-19 crisis

This is a story about how a beautiful border collie dog named Rosie and a bayside church helped two brilliant Queensland Olympic prospects stay on track during the COVID-19 lockdown.

This is a story about how a beautiful border collie dog named Rosie and a bayside church helped two brilliant Queensland Olympic Games’ prospects stay on track for their Games’ debut during the recent COVID-19 lockdown crisis.

Triple Commonwealth Games medal winning gymnast Georgia Godwin and Australian rhythmic gymnastic world championship representative Lidiaa Iakovleva both adapted to the potentially disastrous COVID-19 lockdown to keep their Games’ dreams alive.

Godwin, who like Iakovleva is a Moreton Bay College alumni, was forced to turn her Manly West home into a makeshift gym.

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And two constant companions during her training regimen were her border collies, Rosie and Chilli.

Rosie, in particular, was curious about Godwin’s acrobatic training moves normally restricted to the plush surrounds at her club gym, Delta Gymnastics.

Gymnast Georgia Godwin with one of her collies, Rosie. Pic Renae Droop

Indeed Rosie would often give Godwin a kiss of encouragement if she took a tumble.

“It was not an ideal situation but I had to make do with what I had while having the dogs around going about their daily lives,’’ Godwin said.

“Rosie would hang around and watch what I was doing.

Gymnast Georgia Godwin with her dog Rosie enjoying her routine. Picture: Renae Droop

“She just sat there and if I did a jump or stacked it, she could come over and make sure I was okay and then go back and sit and watch me.

“She is a big licker. But when you are upside down (training) you don’t want a dog coming up and licking your face.’’

Gymnast Georgia Godwin with another of her collies, Chilli. Picture: Renae Droop

Iakovleva, 16, and the baby of the senior Australian world championship team, had also been confined to her bayside home until the Uniting Church came to her rescue.

“It (her home garage) was very small and the ceiling was low, so I could not do much except for stretching,’’ Iakovleva said.

But Iakovleva’s former primary school teacher Darryl Brown, a family friend, suggested the local church hall could be a training option.

“He said we have an nice hall at the church and maybe we could let her use it,’’ said Lidiia’s dad Ivor.

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Iakovleva said using the space was fantastic for her.

“In rhythmic gymnastics you have to do routines, that is the whole point, and you really need a big space and a high ceiling.

Lidiia Iakovleva at the church hall where she trained. Also pictured is Minister Craig Blackburn and well known local teacher from Manly West State School, Darryl Brown.

“In my garage there was no chance of doing that and because quarantine (lockdown) went for a long time, I would have got into really bad shape.

“But this space at the hall was great because it allowed me to do everything I did in the gym,’’ said the Aspire Gymnastics product.

“It allowed me to keep my fitness up.’’

Brown said for six weeks he and Minister Craig Blackburn would clean the hall before and after Lidiia had used it.

Lidiia Iakovleva, 16, was on the verge of representing Australia at the Games.

She said as a result of the help from Brown, Blackburn and the church, her dream of making the Australian team for next year’s Olympics was alive.

“My dream is to go to the Olympics, hopefully in 2021, otherwise I will try to keep going. It really assisted me in staying in shape, staying fit and trying to improve.’’

Aside from Lidiia and Godwin, Moreton Bay College have an extraordinary tradition in playing a role in producing world class gymnastics.

Naazmi Johnston (rhythmic gymnast) was a bronze medal winner Commonwealth Games in Beijing and is an Olympian, Larrissa Miller (artistic gymnast) is a two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist and a Rio Olympics qualifier, Danielle Prince also went to the Rio Olympics while Chloe Sims (artistic gymnast) was a Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

And the next gerneration is also shining through the achievements of gymnastics like Saskia Broedelet.

Originally published as How prospective Olympians Georgia Godwin and Lidiia Iakovleva were helped in COVID-19 crisis