Queensland walker Dane Bird-Smith says many athletes stepping into the unknown on the road back to Japan
The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics has rattled the medal dreams of walker Dane Bird-Smith, who is quickly making other athletes aware they do not have to go through this mental upheaval alone.
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The postponement of the Tokyo Olympics has rattled the medal dreams of walker Dane Bird-Smith, who is a powerful voice for making sure other athletes are aware they do not have to go through the mental upheaval alone after he had to conquer his own bout of depression in 2017.
The Queensland Olympian and Commonwealth Games netball gold medallist Caitlin Thwaites are among 22 current and former Australian athletes named AIS-Lifeline Community Custodians for 2020-21.
They have joined together to help increase awareness around suicide prevention and encourage anyone who needs support to reach out and ask for help.
In particular, the athletes will be supporting Lifeline’s National Emergency Appeal to raise the $5 million to fill a funding gap as a result of COVID-19's impact.
Lifeline had its highest-ever call rates in March (90,000) and Good Friday was Lifeline’s busiest day ever with over 3,200 phone calls.
“I have had my own journey with my mental health over the years and through this I learnt so much about managing my wellbeing and developed a number of coping strategies which I now use everyday,” Thwaites said.
“I have been open in sharing my story and struggles when I am out in the community because I believe assisting to reduce the stigma, and educate the community is vital to helping people going through their own personal battles.”
Bird-Smith was overwhelmed with the success of the program last year, where the 21 Custodians assisted Lifeline to raise just over $2 million through more than 50 engagements across Australia, where they were able to help more than 35,000 people directly and indirectly.
“I feel very fortunate that as an athlete I have an opportunity to make a difference and help Lifeline continue to deliver their critical services to Australians.”
The Birdman says he will take flight again but admits the postponement of the Tokyo Games will throw up a myriad of complications for athletes.
Dane Bird-Smith says it’s not just the physical and financial aspects of backing up again, mental health will be a huge concern for some as he chats with Jim Tucker.
Question: How did you hear that the Tokyo Olympics had been postponed for a year?
B-S: (Laughs). It was strange because I was following all the news backstage while doing something for a cool reality TV show which I can't tell you anything about.
Q: What was your immediate reaction to all that training and focus on July-August being tossed out the window?
It was a slowed reaction that was evolving just like the updates over the three or four weeks leading up to and straight after the decision.
At first, I thought “postponement … nah that won't happen with the Olympics” because we'll get hold off the virus quickly. Then everything started to escalate around the world and I kind of realised they'd definitely have to postpone.
Disbelief turned into “when are they going to announce this?”
It's definitely a big blow because I felt in such good shape and wanted to race.
To postpone throws up a whole heap of new variables.
Q: How tough will it be to refocus on a 2021 Olympics and can you see some athletes across all different sports not making it to their Tokyo dream at all?
The coronavirus crisis hits at many levels.
So many athletes are going to struggle massively with the financial stuff, another year could mean injuries for older athletes and finding new motivation takes a hit too with all racing for 2020 cancelled.
Most Olympic athletes are on some funding but it's not even at dole level and many will lose their supplementary income as well as any prizemoney from racing.
Q: Are you saying that some athletes won't make it to Tokyo even if they desperately want to?
For sure, there'll be athletes thinking over the call right now about their financial futures and just getting a job if they can.
There's only so long you can put your life on hold unless you have great support.
The Olympics is one of the most difficult journeys to embark on in terms of sacrifices.
It's also incredibly rewarding personally but it'll be incredibly tough for a lot of athletes to make it through to Tokyo now it has been pushed 16 months away. Some won't go on.
Q: Will you push on at 27?
Yes but Tokyo will be the last Olympics for me. The body is willing (for 2024) but the mind, not so, because I do a lot of training solo and it just becomes mentally taxing.
Q: What will you be doing on August 4 which would have been the date of your 20km walk event in Tokyo?
Maybe I'll do 20km, hook up by social media and get a few other walkers around the world to see what they've got as well.
The Queensland Academy of Sport has set me up with a treadmill and a bit of a home gym to keep myself moving.
Q: How does your difficult personal period after your brilliant bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio give you some radar in the current situation?
I know how tough it can be after an Olympics to reinvent goals and how huge this situation is for a lot of athletes who will be trying hard to re-motivate and others where it could spell the end of careers.
One of the first things I knew when I came out the other side of my battle with depression was that speaking publicly could help others.
I'm trying to make a difference as a community custodian for a mental health service, through Lifeline and the Australian Institute of Sport, that supports athletes and breaks down the stigma.
Just talking it out helps stop the problem when an athlete is feeling less than they should.
Q: Will the Olympics be a cathartic experience in 2021?
With everything going on over the next period of time, I think the Olympics will be something everyone can really, really look forward to.
Sport often unites us and the Olympics is now going to be a beacon of hope for the return to normality around the world.
It's going to be something to bring hope that everything is going to keep on turning.
It'll help economies too.
I'm relaxing it back for now, I'll ramp it up when the time comes and 100 per cent I feel I can go faster and put out another personal best in Tokyo … next year.
If I do win another medal I'll keep it away from my dog (poodle cross) Luna … I showed her my Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gold medal and she got so excited she put a dint in it with a bite mark.
QUICK OFF THE MARK
First car? The Toyota Corolla is still going strong at 140,000km
Coffee order? Hot chocolate or milkshake for me
Your idol growing up? They were more moments like being inspired by a 10-year-old footy mate chasing from centre halfback to the forward line to tackle and save a goal.
Who plays you in a movie? Mark Wahlberg
Best advice you've been given? “Fear no one, respect all”
Binge viewing tip for those in self-isolation? Get on Crunchyroll online for the best anime
Originally published as Queensland walker Dane Bird-Smith says many athletes stepping into the unknown on the road back to Japan