An Olympic veteran discusses the joy of having family and friends in the stands for the Paris 2024 Games.
"I'm absolutely buzzing," says [Athlete's Name], a seasoned diver preparing for her return to the Olympic stage in Paris. "One of the biggest reasons I came back to the sport was so my kids could watch me compete. It's amazing to have them, my husband, my mum, grandma, all my friends and family there."
After the necessary absence of spectators at the Tokyo 2020 Games, the excitement surrounding the prospect of a packed stadium is palpable. [Athlete's Name] recalls her experience securing tickets for Paris, "I told everyone to be ready to log on at the exact moment tickets went on sale. It was like, 'Get whatever you can, we'll sort it out later. We're going to have as close to a home Olympics experience as I'll ever get in my lifetime!'"
While the roar of the crowd can be motivating, [Athlete's Name] admits that her focus during competition is unwavering, "My dad used to have a giant Union Jack flag so I knew exactly where he was. We don't have that now, so my family and friends send me a picture of the pool from their seats. That way, I can spot them and wave before getting fully into the zone."
Her decision to return to diving after a two-year break was sparked by a rather unexpected event. "We were in Colorado Springs, where my son Phoenix was born. I didn't realise it was an Olympic City until we got there. We visited the [United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum] and⦠I was signing in and they noticed my Olympic rings tattoo. They were like, 'You're an Olympian!'"
[Athlete's Name] describes the surreal moment, "They have this huge atrium with balconies, and they gather all the staff there. I was just standing in the middle, feeling mortified. Robbie [her husband] was like, 'What's going on?' I was like, 'Long story!'."
But the experience had a profound impact. "There was this video about what it means to be an Olympian. By the end, I was crying. Robbie asked me what was wrong, and I said I missed diving and the Olympics. Lance [her son] looked at me and said, 'I know what this means.' Robbie said, 'I want to see you dive at the Olympics'. And that was that."
The path back wasn't easy. "I thought, 'How is this even possible?'. I'd taken two years off. Coming back meant no guarantees. No guarantee of making the team, no guarantee of being able to do my dives again, no guarantee of staying injury-free. And even if I did all that, there's no guarantee of qualifying for the Olympics. So many hurdles to overcome."
Despite the challenges, [Athlete's Name] has persevered, driven by the love for her sport and the unwavering support of her family. As she prepares for Paris, the prospect of a stadium filled with loved ones cheering her on is a powerful motivation. The fifth Olympic Games will undoubtedly be a special one for this veteran athlete, a testament to her resilience and the enduring power of family.