Tokyo Olympics: Australian triathlete Emma Jeffcoat’s emotional rollercoaster

Emma Jeffcoat cried both tears of happiness and sadness on Friday as she celebrated a milestone in her life but also mourned the loss of a loved one.

Emma Jeffcoat will make her Olympic debut in Tokyo.

Emma Jeffcoat celebrated one of the biggest moments of her life on Friday morning before she went off to privately mourn someone she loved.

The Northern Beaches triathlete was in Melbourne training when the news she was heading to Tokyo was made official early in the morning.

Emma Jeffcoat is one of four triathlon debutants heading to Tokyo.

Unable to return to her home in Sydney due to coronavirus restrictions, she then spent time in a virtual funeral as she farewelled a member of her family.

“It’s been bit of an emotional rollercoaster for sure,’’ said Jeffcoat, one of six triathletes to race the individual and teams relay events in Tokyo.

“My aunty passed away three days ago and I can’t be back home to see my family.

Aaron Royle from Newcastle is heading to his second Olympics.

“To be mourning a loss and having one of my biggest accomplishments on the same day … I know she would have loved this, she was incredibly proud.

“I can’t wait to go over and make them all (her family and supporters) proud.’’

Jeffcoat’s road to the Olympics has been full of twists and turns with the 26-year-old only taking up the sport six years ago.

Last year she was hit by a car and broke her collarbone and also returned to nursing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Collaroy’s Jeffcoat is one of four debutants on the team and one of two from NSW with Rio Olympian Aaron Royle from Newcastle also named along with Tasmanian Jake Birtwhistle and Queenslanders Ash Gentle, who also competed in Rio, Jaz Hedgeland and Mat Hauser.

While Jeffcoat will compete in the individual race in Tokyo, her best chance of a medal is the mixed team relay.

The men’s and women’s individual race field in Tokyo will boast 55 athletes each.

Other northern beaches athlete named onto Olympic teams this week were softball’s

Rachel Lack from Bilgola Plateau and North Curl Curl’s Tarni Stepto.

Originally published as Tokyo Olympics: Australian triathlete Emma Jeffcoat’s emotional rollercoaster