Sally Fitzgibbons on the joy and sadness of her Tokyo Olympic experience

From small town girl to Olympian, surfer Sally Fitzgibbons’ Tokyo journey was more than she’d dreamed, but her loss in the quarter-finals left her shattered.

Sally Fitzgibbons says she achieved a childhood dream in Tokyo. Picture: Getty Images

My experience at the Tokyo Games has been everything I’ve dreamed of and more.

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be an Olympian but couldn’t begin to imagine the journey I would go on to get here.

Growing up in such a small town in Gerroa, it is unfathomable to think I have carved out a path to make it on the world stage and represent my country. My goal along the way is to plant that seed of hope for the next young grom out there that it is possible.

Sally Fitzgibbons says she will cherish her Olympic experience. Picture: Getty Images

I realise now that an Olympic Games brings joy to not only us as the athletes but to so many. It truly is a symbol of hope and unity and it is a language the world speaks together for 14 days. It is something very special. Arigato Tokyo and Japan, what an amazing gift you gave us to allow us to come over in such trying times to go ride your waves, share in your culture and give us an opportunity to put our life’s work on show.

Sally Fitzgibbons was left heartbroken after her quarter-final loss in Tokyo. Picture: Getty Images

It hasn’t been easy to get to these games for any nation, but we all rode the wave ­together and we all appreciate everyone that has contributed to this moment.

The Olympics feel like something bigger than yourself, which is why the loss today in the quarter-finals is so hard to grasp. The emotion of it is overwhelming because you just want to go back out and do more for your country. The hooter goes to end the heat and your heart just explodes into pieces, it’s so shattering. The only thing to do in that moment is come in and be surrounded by your teammates and then channel your best energies into your teammate that is still charging for a medal.

Fitzgibbons shows off her pride in the nation on the beaches of Tokyo. Picture: Getty Images

Aa spot of beach footy with fellow surfing superstar Stephanie Gilmore. Picture: Getty Images

It was such a magic ­moment to celebrate Owen Wright’s bronze medal win.

To also have legendary Olympian Kenny Wallace be in our Mighty Irukandji team huddle to end the Games for surfing.

We all give out a huge Aussie Aussie Aussie Cmonnnnn, which would have been heard all the way back in Aussieland, as it had so much passion behind it.

I came to Tokyo to give it my all, wear my heart on my sleeve and represent our country and people that I love so much with pride and I’m walking away from my first ever Olympic Games with my heart full and a smile as good as gold.

Thank you Australia for being you and cheering on me.

Originally published as Sally Fitzgibbons on the joy and sadness of her Tokyo Olympic experience