Sydney 2000 gold medallist Natalie Cook reveals how she sold Yatala Pies to chase her Olympic dream
Sydney 2000 gold medallist Natalie Cook reveals her unique recipe for Olympic success: Pies. Go inside for the full details.
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Natalie Cook was a part of one of the most iconic moments of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games when she won the gold medal in the beach volleyball alongside Kerri Pottharst.
However, Cook revealed the incredible moment which went down in Australian sporting history would not have come to fruition without the help of Yatala Pies.
“I sold Yatala Pies to go to my very first volleyball trip, I had to sell 400 of them” she said.
“I thought mum and dad were going to do it for me, they sold about 15 and I realised if I wanted to do something I had to do it myself.
“So I went door-to-door and sold 486 Yatala Pies and if people weren’t home I’d write them a note and say ‘it’s my dream to go to the Games and represent Australia … you’re not home I’ve just put you down for five pies that’ll be 20 bucks, I’ll be back around to collect it’.”
“Most of them were good enough to do so, some of them didn’t answer the door after that so I was stuck with a lot of pies."
Cook knows first hand how much of a challenge it is to raise funds to pursue Olympic glory and has since founded the Aussie Athlete Fund, which aims to support aspiring Olympians chase their dreams.
The Aussie Athlete Fund has partnered with Sports Gold Coast to support the next generation of Olympians with four Gold Coasters set to receive $10,000 per year for seven years in the lead up to the 2032 games.
“Back then would have been amazing to have the financial support, if you booked an overseas holiday in the last 12 months it is really expensive,” Cook said.
“So when our athletes have to fund their own way to international competition, some of them have to buy their own green and gold jersey to represent the country, it costs a lot of money.
“My dream is that no athlete says ‘I had to leave my sport because I couldn’t afford it’.
“Athletes actually need some real coin so it’s great that Sports Gold Coast have come up with the first round of funds and the (Gold Coast) council looking to support as well.
“This collaboration is about supporting local athletes towards the Games in 2032, as well as fostering a sense of pride and unity within the Gold Coast community.
“By supporting our homegrown athletes, we are creating a strong community engagement allowing the Gold Coast to embrace and celebrate ‘their’ athletes on the world stage.”
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