Sport News
Olympic Games Wrap Up
Over the past fortnight the Olympics have kept us entertained and glued to our televisions and computers at a level not seen throughout Australia since the Sydney Olympics. SCEGGS staff and parents will remember this time fondly even though none of our students were born then. There was so much debate in the leadup as to whether the Olympics should have gone ahead during a pandemic and whether they were dated and still relevant. I think so many were very grateful they did as it was what many in the world needed right now.
The athletes and their support team of coaching staff and family have all made so many sacrifices. They have had to endure the postponement of the original games, train in unusual circumstances, remain in isolation through lockdowns and have had limited international competition in the lead up. Some athletes were denied the opportunity to qualify due to border lockdowns and safety concerns.
We have new household names and so many personal stories that were shared over the past fortnight. As well as new sports that Australia proved to be very good at such as Freestyle BMX and Park Skateboarding.
In July the Session of the International Olympic Committee approved a change in the Olympic motto that recognises the unifying power of sport and the importance of solidarity – “Faster, Stronger, Higher – Together“. “Together” truly did sum up the Olympics in one word.
I loved the constant display of sportsmanship and camaraderie amongst the Australian athletes. The medal presentation for the 200m backstroke in the swimming was very memorable to watch as Emily Seebohm presented Kaylee McKeown with her Gold Medal, and then Kaylee in return invite Emily onto the podium beside her for the anthem.
Who can forget images of the entire Australian surfing team in a circle around Owen Wright doing an “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie”, after he won the bronze medal in the Men’s Surfing? Everyone sensed the significance of the occasion after he had overcome a serious head injury to return to the top of world surfing.
The support and encouragement amongst our three female javelin throwers, who all made the final, was incredible to watch, with Kelsey-Lee Barber eventually winning the Bronze Medal. One can only imagine the reaction and celebration if it had been Australia winning the Gold, Silver and Bronze in the 100m sprint instead of Jamaica!
Sport can change lives in so many ways we cannot appreciate. The background stories of many of the refugee team and athletes who grew up in poverty is very humbling. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz became the first gold medal winner for the Philippines. She is the daughter of a tricycle driver who grew up with barely enough food to survive. She overcame all the obstacles life had dealt her family to join the military and have a successful sporting career. After her win a friend summed up the significance saying “Little girls now have the opportunity to dream and reach for the stars in ways beyond what all the past generations of Filipino girls never had”.
The perseverance and grit displayed by many of our athletes is also a lesson in life that we can all learn from. It took Melissa Wu four Olympics to finally win her first Individual Medal in Diving. How About Jian Fang Lay, the Australian Number 1 Table Tennis player who at 48 yrs old was competing in her sixth Olympics?
Watching Jessica Fox at her third Olympics miss the gold in the K1 Kayak but bounce back and win her first Gold Medal in the C1 Canoe class was another highlight. This is particularly special since this was the first time that women have been allowed to compete in this event. Who could forget the calm and matter of fact way in which her dad commentated both events for Channel 7?
A special shout out to Marina Carrier (class of 2014) who fulfilled a childhood dream after more than 10 years of training and competition to compete at an Olympic Games. She thrilled us all with a clear round to finish 3rd in the Showjumping component of the Modern Pentathlon, before finishing in 27th position overall at her first Olympic Games.
In her own words: “I had the absolute best time …. achieved my goal of competing with a smile on my face, enjoying the moment of competing at the Olympic Games”. Marina is currently enjoying 14 days of sleep and study for university exams as she quarantines in the Northern Territory. She shared this lovely photo of herself with High Jump Silver Medallist and good friend, Nicola McDermott from the closing ceremony.
It was a gold medal performance from Japan in hosting a truly memorable and unique Olympics. Now we wait for the Paralympics to commence on August 24!
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If families have any news or photos to share please email to alisongowan@sceggs.nsw.edu.au. We love hearing and seeing about our students.
Alison Gowan
Director of Sport
