PRE COMPETITION
Two weeks in Canberra…the PM doesn’t want to reside there, so the idea of staying at the AIS did seem silly given that the Games were in Melbourne. However, it turned out to be a good idea. The AIS is an impressive facility, with plenty of platforms that must be underutilised when there are no lifters around. The food is plentiful and nutritious, with the exception of naughty Sunday, where a hot breakfast and many desserts are available. The idea of stickers on the food’s nutritional description e.g. a red sticker equalled naughty food and a green signified eat up, choc full o-goodness, amused us all. Me thinks that if you are at the AIS, you know what is good for you.
The average day
700 Arise, slumbering messes.
730 A stroll through scenic Canberra, everyone begrudgingly.
800ish Breakfast time Cereals, pancakes, baked beans on toast, yoghurts, fruit, juice……just enough to get ready for…
830 AIS library to read all the papers they AIS library has to offer. Still plenty of footy on offer but I’m sure our media officer is about to supply plenty of positive leads….
900 First session of training. Squats and some other exercises.
1030 Soothing Spa, painful plunge pool repeated a few times.
1100 Massage if the magical Tony had time.
1200 Lunch Rolls, pasta and more.
1300 Ultimate Frisbee, ultimate kanga cricket. March Canberra weather was great.
1400 Naptime.
1630 Another session; a harder one.
1830 Hot and cold again.
1900 Dinner time.
2000 Cards. Poker, unfortunately, is not the game of choice given the tightness of team members and my acumen with that game. Arsehole is the game of choice. Much more savoury than it sounds.
This is repeated everyday, bar Sunday the day of Holiness. It seemed too much but I adapted well, just proves what can be done with the proper support network. Many a jolly with the arrival of the Kangaroos at the AIS, they worked pretty hard at the gym for an AFL team. They also hung around and watched a few sessions as well.
Removing us from Melbourne meant that we were removed from distractions. No car meant we were stuck there, although two bus trips to the Belconnen Mall provided a little change of scenery, albeit of the Kath and Kim variety. The movie day was interesting, the boys opting for the testosterone laden 'Hostel' and the girls going for the more lightweight 'Date Movie'.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES VILLAGE
Superb. All the adjectives were justified. The food hall was a sight to behold. But I should skip that thread lest I earn a reputation for gluttony. Check in was smooth and all the helpers were beyond eager to help…I know this sounds gushing but it was just a great advertisement for Melbourne.
The rooms were a little cramped but we’ve all stayed in worse. Once the athletes vacate apparently they will be upgraded to a fancy shmancy accommodation for the public to buy into.
Cleaners came by everyday, apparently they were volunteers, bless `em. Very charitable. If that is true, strip the big wigs of a fraction of their exorbitant salary and share the wealth I say.
Roomed with Big Chris Rae, super heavy Gold Medal winner. Attempts to transform into almost neat super-heavyweight have failed. Although, to his credit, he is the quietest super around, having none of the ear piercing qualities of Big Damo Kelly.
Mr. Tony pops by and so does Mr John with his second favourite team (after the one Ponting leads) The training centre for all athletes, Mermet Stadium, Hawthorn.
SO….A LITTLE RECEPTION WITH THE MAYOR
Brother Tim with Boomer’s coach Brian Goorigan. Sister Claire and Brother Tim with Petria Thomas.
Lots of big wigs at this function, where the Flag Bearer and Oath reader?? were selected. Thank goodness one was a swimmer. Great getting off the team buses and seeing the crowds in Melbourne, pen and pad ready, excited by some of the big names. Of course, furrowed brows and shrugged shoulders greet the lifters. Ah well. Great to catch up with Eddy.
OPENING CEREMONY
Still haven’t had the chance to watch this event, the feed to this spectacle in Rod Laver Arena was cut. The teams were apparently too slow making their way across to the `G. Unfortunately it was not cut in time, as we witnessed the young Newton lady introduce Melbourne, including a searing interview with her fiancée Matt Welsh fresh out of the pool. Inspiring stuff.
The walk to the G was something to behold, a dignified strut on the way becoming a near stampede as we walked through the gates. The roar was amazing and something I will never forget. Whilst the roar of a crowd at a game of footy is impressive, this was a sustained cheer, continuing for over one full lap of the G. Waved like a lunatic.
Attempts to walk arm in arm with someone famous or really good looking failed, and little tv time was the result.
THE VENUE
Kudos to ol’ De La boy Matt Curtain for organising a great comp. Well done loaders. Great calling by the MC’s.
Weightlifting has never seen a crowd like it. Sports mad Melbourne embraced very session, cheering very competitor, it mattered not if they jeopardised an improved place for the Aussies. Australia’s best lifter, Damian Brown, proclaimed every facet of the competition superior to Sydney 2000. I have never heard such cheering at a weightlifting competition. The IWF president must have been impressed, World Championships have never had the good crowds of Melbourne.
Big boo to all the Jury members who kept taking calls on their mobiles, something people further back in the crowd wouldn’t be so rude to do.
A few highlights: Damian Brown and Matt Williams
Ben Turner and Damon Kelly.
COMPETITION
Eight years was a long time to wait. There were many occasions when I questioned whether it was worth it. Not that I really considered quitting, as I was adamant that I had to finish my career on a good note. It was more that I was feeling a little depressed with the lack of good times. The time off work, the injuries, the bills, the lack of support from those in control of the sport; for very little reward. In this country, weightlifting is a sport of intrinsic worth. I felt not only the struggle against gravity or against what my body felt like I was capable of lifting, there was the feeling that my participation in the sport was unwanted. I couldn’t comprehend the rigmarole with the lifting selection and still haven’t received anything close to a satisfactory response. The powerlessness was the worst thing. Aside from some good press from the Herald Sun, no one who could change the situation was interested in helping. I knew I had earnt my spot at the trials, and after missing out on Sydney, injuries and poor form Manchester time, the sport not qualifying a team for Athens…there was no way I was going to miss this day on the platform. It all worked out well. Of course, I wish I had been allowed to lift more, but at the completion of the competition I felt like I had won, even if the scoreboard said otherwise.
THANKS
I would like to thank Robert Kabbas for all his coaching, expertise and wisdom.
Ivan Katz, for his soothing words on the day.
Mum and Dad….I can’t begin to put this list into a sentence.
Claire, Madels, Tim and Steph. Ditto. Great posters Claire, you dag and Tim you hold a mean placard.
Denise, for all her pushiness. I am lucky to have met you.
Craig, Dame, Harvey. Great training partners and inspirations.
My awesome tanky one.
Musashi for all their yummy goodness.
Scott and Maggie for this awesome site. Big blessings.
Simon is proudly sponsored by Musashi and 2XU
