11 September 2008

Hi

Well, what can I say about that?

Athletes obviously dream of winning a medal or surpassing every other competitor’s throw in the final round to the roars of the crowd.

Most athletes would be lying if they said they had never wondered what it would be like to perform badly either, but 4^th place is not one you would ever think about, hence the mixed emotions.

Certainly coming fourth with a throw of 65.75m was not what I expected. After all, that distance would have won a medal at six out of the past seven major championships.

But it was a national record, a lifetime best and at the end of the day a huge step forward in my career. And the best part is that my coach Mark Roberson and I know there is still a lot of work we can do.

Is it worth it?

Having lived and breathed the Olympics on a daily basis for the past year and beyond, when it is all finally over  it is difficult to take in. It is very strange to think that you have dedicated 4 years (and more) to one day of intense pressure and excitement and parts of you think, is it worth it?

Having now put my kit in the loft and closed the chapter of my life that was Beijing 2008, I can safely say that it was worth EVERY second of blood, sweat, tears, moods, heart-break and emotion that comes with the territory of trying to be the best you can be! And i can’t wait for the drama that will unfold in the next four years of trying to win the thing that eluded me by 38cm this time round, an Olympic medal.

Although I talk of hard work and emotion, there is some fun to be had too. My favourite part of being away from home in a team environment is the banter that goes on between athletes and the extraordinary individuals you meet along the way. My apartment that I shared with Liz Yelling, Helen Clitheroe and Jemma Simpson was never short of laughter and I thank them for helping to make my experience so enjoyable.

Lucky Numbers

Another highlight for me personally was Denise Lewis tapping me on the shoulder whilst i was in HQ watching a BBC live feed of the athletics the night before my final. She was in the village leading a group of 2012 prospects having a look at what it is like to go to an Olympics. She told me that she would be in the stadium for my final and didn’t want to give me any wise words or good luck encouragement as she said I didn’t need it. She did however look very excited and smiley and said to me – “I’m not going to say anything to you other than this…… my number in Sydney was 1833” (the very same number i would wear to compete in!). Although I had just been saying that you have to stay emotionless, well that was a moment where I broke my own rule and shed a tear!

Best Seat in the House

Returning home after weeks away was also a highlight –  It wasn’t until we arrived home that we realised how much the team had captured the country’s imagination as the one negative ,if there is one, of being an Olympic athlete) is that you miss the Olympics as a spectator and never really get to watch the other sports compete. Although I was slightly jealous of missing out by 38cm on a business class seat and the press conference and general adulation of the British public, I sat right at the back of the plane by the toilets feeling immensely proud to be British!

Anyway, that’s all from me for now. Before I go I just wanted to say thanks to those supporters who made me feel so welcome at Gateshead and especially to the British Athletics Supporters Club who sent me a lovely card.

Have a great winter

Goldie