A lifetime of training and dedication. Four years of planning. One moment for athletes to prove themselves to the world.
At the Paris Olympics, and their coaches put the finishing touches on four years of meticulous planning and training. In a few weeks, Paralympians and their coaches will do the same. We tend to focus on athletes—their stories, sacrifices, triumphs and heartbreaks.
But we often pay less attention to the people behind the athletes, including coaches and support teams who, just like fans, share the rollercoaster of highs and lows with athletes. Many Australians will fondly remember swimming Dean Boxall's outburst of emotion after he watched Ariarne Titmus win a thrilling 400m freestyle final at the Tokyo Olympics. The emotions are real, palpable, exciting .
.. and draining.
Every week, elite coaches ride this stress. They watch in hope that the cumulative effects of training and reflection, then more training and more reflection, will take shape out in the sporting arena. The highs and lows can be extreme.
The Olympics takes things up a notch One of the benefits of seasonal sports is the continuity of play. Each week, despite the result, you get another chance to improve on the past performance. This is not the case for the Olympics.
At the Olympics, an athlete's age, fitness, skills, and ability to manage stress must all come together in a perfect moment. Most Olympic athletes all have the same goal: gold. But with so little space at the top, there will be m.