My Favourite Athletic Moment

This is a difficult one. My countdown would have to be:

Number 5: I loved my first major international competition, Sydney 2000 Olympics. Walking into the packed stadium then competing with the overwhelming support then looking down at my uniform with the Olympic rings below the Australian Emblem - fulfilling a childhood dream to compete for Australia in the Olympics.

Number 4: Breaking the Australian women’s long jump record for the first time at the Goodwill Games. (Plus I placed second to a Brazilian who has subsequently tested positive for drugs but is now back jumping after her 2 year ban.) This was in Brisbane, not only my home country but home track, where I trained and competed as a teenager.

Number 3: Placing fourth in the 2004 Athens Olympics, being beaten only by three Russians (one is not jumping this year and I have beaten both of the other two Russians at least once each this year).

Number 2: Jumping 7 metres, setting new Australian, Oceanic and Commonwealth Records in Melbourne Telstra-A 2002. 7 metres is that magical distance and hopefully this year I’ll be back over that magical mark.

Number 1: Winning gold at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Although the Commonwealth Games aren’t as prestigious as the Olympics, winning in your home country is a rare opportunity. I love competing in Melbourne and after my disappointing performance in 2002 Commonwealth Games, I wanted that gold medal more than anyone. It stands out in my mind because so many of my family and friends were there to share the moment. Plus, more than anything, I’d had such a challenging 18 months leading up to the competition due to my knee injury in Reiti, 2004.

The Commonwealth Games were such a ball and the closing ceremony was fabulous because it doubled up as my hen’s night. I went to The Last Lap after the closing ceremony like so many other athletes. Below are some snaps from the Games including some I found at www.thelastlap.net, courtesy of Eagle Images.