Tokyo 2020: Softballer Taylah Tsitsikronis’ Olympic memory
It was strange moment that happened 20 years ago at the Sydney Olympics but softballer Taylah Tsitsikronis still remembers it well.
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Taylah Tsitsikronis’ dream is to be playing in the green and gold at the Tokyo Olympics as softball makes its return to the Games arena for the first time since 2008.
But the 25-year-old already has an Olympic story to tell.
The Penrith softballer was just six when the Sydney Olympics were held in 2000 but still remembers it.
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“I was only little but I remember going to the baseball and my dad pushed me in the mud to get a foul ball,” she said.
“I just remember the mud, we still have that ball.”
Growing up Tsitsikronis aspired to be an Olympian until the sport she loved was removed from the program for the 2012 Games in London and then the following Rio Olympics.
Now her goal has been reignited with softball to be played in Tokyo and Australia qualifying to compete at the event late last year.
“It was always a dream to go the Olympics. When that was taken away it was awful,” Tsitsikronis said.
“Then the dream became to try and make the world championships.
“Now it’s back, it’s just so exciting.”
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With Australia’s appearance in Tokyo now confirmed Tsitsikronis is working to ensure she is also on the pitch.
In the wake of the Australia Pacific Cup at Blacktown International Sportspark Tsitsikronis is a step closer to playing in Tokyo, named in the squad from which the Olympic team will be pulled.
A new Aussie Spirit squad has been named to compete in the 2020 National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) League in the US from late May.
Coach Laing Harrow said choosing just 20 athletes was difficult with a number of players narrowly missing out.
“There was always going to be tough decisions to be made in a couple of positions, especially in an Olympic year,” Harrow said.
“We’ll be keeping a close eye on players because that (the US tournament) will essentially be the final chance for them to really put their hand up for Olympic selection.”
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