‘Puzzled’, ‘confused’: Behind the scenes in the chase for the Olympics
When I tell people I am an Olympic sprint kayaker I’m often met with confusion.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WHEN I tell people I am an Olympic sprint kayaker I’m often met with confusion.
Questions as to whether I go forward or backward, puzzled looks when I explain that I don’t go down rapids and shock when I tell them that my boat is a little bit different to a fishing kayak from BCF.
SIGN UP NOW FOR OUR FULL ON FOOTY GOLD COAST NEWSLETTERS
If you are unaware, sprint kayaking is one of the most consistently performing sports for Australia at the Olympic Games.
We race over the distances of 200m, 500m and 1000m in singles, doubles and four person kayaks that are so skinny that I sometimes require vaseline just to wedge myself in.
With the National Centre of Excellence based in your backyard at Pizzey Park in Miami, you don’t have to look far for inspiration.
OLYMPIAN’S QUIRKY NAME CHANGE DILEMMA
There’s Ken Wallace, who is a three-time Olympian, and gold medallist Curtis McGrath, who was just named the Gold Coasts para-athlete of the year, and my K2 partner Alyssa Bull, who juggles her Olympic pursuits with being a firefighter.
I too have been to one Olympic Games and am a world champion, but still find myself in awe of the people I get to train with every day.
With only 140 days until the Olympic Games kick off in Tokyo it’s all systems go for us.
While our Instagram stories may paint a picture of leisure, which includes coffee dates, movie marathons and nanna naps, I promise the reality is a whole lot different.
Over the next few months I will give you an insight into our everyday lives and what’s involved in preparing for and competing at an Olympic Games. So let’s start with one of the most stressful topics of them all: Qualification.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT THE BULLETIN FACEBOOK SPORTS FORUM
In a few short days (March 11-15) our National Championships will kick off in Sydney which act as our Olympic trials. Four years of blood, sweat and tears will be on the line for six male and six female Olympic tickets as well as one spot for each of the Paralympic classes.
When you line up on that start line, those next few minutes could determine your next few months. For me, it all comes down to 500m, or one minute and 50 seconds, so execution is paramount.
It can’t be that hard though, right? Left stroke, right stroke, repeat.
REVEALED: QLD’s top strikers, players and state award nominees
We reveal the best strikers, players, coaches and volunteers who made their mark on Queensland football this season and the nominees in line for the Sunshine State’s top club and individual awards. Find out who cracked the list here.
Club cricket: Brightest sparks from last round revealed across premier men, women grades
Queensland premier club cricket: Who shone brightest in men’s and women’s first, second and third grade matches last weekend, which included premiership glory for Uni and Norths? All is revealed here.