Sydney Olympic Games 2000.
I was the High Performance Manager of Essendon Football Club and the team had just completed a record breaking season in the AFL (only lost 1 game all season). The grand final against Melbourne Football Club resulted in a win to Essendon. I could not celebrate for too long as I needed to get to Sydney for the opening of the Olympic Games. I had been named as a team coach for the Sydney Olympic Games looking after sprints and relays. I had two athletes that I personally coached on the team – Lee Naylor (400m/Relay) and Lauren Hewitt (100m/200m/Relay). The 4x400m relay teams that I coached at these games both made the finals. The women’s team set a new Australian record or 3.23.81 – which still stands to this day. The men came 8th in the final. Of course the Sydney Olympic Games is synonymous with Catherine Freeman – Olympic Champion in the 400m at the Sydney Games.
The games were actually held in 2021 due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus. Stands were virtually empty at all venues and there was minimal interaction between athletes/officials/ at these games. All participants were required to wear masks. I was the Australian Team Coach in Tokyo for Sprints. I personally coached Bendere Oboya (400m) to these Olympic Games. An amazing competition in the most surreal circumstances imaginable.
I was initially contacted by the International Olympic Committee to enquire as to my availability to act in a coaching role for a refugee team at the Paris Olympic Games. I have coached numerous refugees in my career as a coach from countries that have included Algeria, Afghanistan, Gambia, Sierra Leone and more. To be a part of this very special IOC project has certainly been one of my coaching career highlights. In Paris I was the team coach for Afghanistan. The Olympic Games were brilliant but the lessons I learned as a coach from within a foreign team will live with me forever. Whilst my third Olympic Games, Paris will always be the Games that taught me the most of the ideals of the Olympic Movement….”to take part…not the triumph but the struggle…not to have conquered but to have fought well…” I learned many life lessons at these Olympic Games that I, in turn, will share for many years to come. At the Paris Olympic Games, I was the personal coach of an athlete from Afghanistan whom was a refuge in Australia – Kimia Yousofi (100m). The role in Paris also required coaching and support roles with athletes from other sports including cycling, judo and swimming.
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