Great Barrier Reef Masters Games: Natalie Cook looks forward to Cairns event

Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook is preparing for a massive Cairns multi-sport event with an emphasis on fun.

As an Olympic gold medallist, Natalie Cook said she could never see herself playing in a masters competition.

But the five-time Olympian will be front and centre at the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games in Cairns from May 20-23.

The GBRMG ambassador will play as one of more than 2500 athletes in 18 different sports across four days and nights of competition.

“When I won my Olympic gold medal in Sydney 2000, I was 25 and I thought 35 was old,” Cook said.

“I never thought I would be a master, but of course time has caught with me and here I am.”

The beach volleyball champion said she was looking forward to getting back on the sand in Cairns.

“I love participating in multi-sport events,” she said.

“The Olympics is so great because you get to see other competitors in other sports.

“You get to not only participate with your mates, but go out and watch others.

“And, of course, the social parties are great as well, none better than the Olympics, but I’m sure here in Cairns the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games’ social functions will be just as good.”

Australian Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook has been named as an ambassador for the 2021 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games held in Cairns in May. Picture: Brendan Radke

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Cook said there was nothing better than participating in sport at all ages in life.

“From being an eight-year-old swimmer in Townsville all the way through to now being a 46-year-old masters beach volleyballer, it is always important for our health and our wellbeing to participate in sport and be competitive,” she said.

In 2019, the GBRMG gave the city’s economy a $2m boost, with almost 2100 competitors, supporters and non-playing officials participating in the games that year, up from 1533 in 2017.

Organisers expect more than 2500 participants aged 35 and over to converge on Cairns for the celebration of masters’ sport in the tropics.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, a participant in the past two Great Barrier Reef Masters Games, said this year’s games was the first opportunity for masters to compete in almost two years.

“There is no doubt that athletes from all sporting backgrounds are keen to get back on the field and there is no better place for that to happen than here in Cairns.” Cr Manning said. “The 2019 Great Barrier Reef Masters Games were a resounding success and injected more than $2m into the local Cairns economy.

“This year’s games look set to break records with interest and registrations at an all-time high.

“I can assure all Games participants that our region is ready more than ever to welcome you back.”

Cook said Cairns was the perfect destination.

“The hospitality, the weather, the atmosphere – it’s just the place you want to be,” she said.

Originally published as Great Barrier Reef Masters Games: Natalie Cook looks forward to Cairns event