Official Publication of the Victorian Institute of Sport

November 2016 SPRING EDITION ISSUE 92

RIO WRAP

Mack Horton CONTENTS

Timothy Disken

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO 03 MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR SPORT 04 – OUR GOLDEN ROLE 05 CATHERINE THE GREAT 06 STEELERS STEAL VICTORY 07 ALCOTT CREATES HISTORY 08 “DISKO” DANCES TO HIS OWN BEAT 09 SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO COLLAGE 10 SPRING IN STEP FOR SMITH 12 POTT LUCK 13 TRIPPS LONG JOURNEY 14 LATEFUL 15 RUNNING AND ROMANCE 16 BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH - LACHLAN MCKINNON 18

2 November 2016 | Credit Cover Photo: Ltd Delly Carr MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

ANNE MARIE HARRISON CEO, Victorian Institute of Sport

As always the Olympic From a VIS perspective the following gives a quick overview of our and did performances against KPIs. not let us down, providing Target Outcome that blend of breathtaking Olympic Games performances, admiration, Representation >15% 14% utter disappointment, Medals 25% 21% (gold 25%) new stars emerging with Paralympic Games compelling stories and repeat Representation >15% 21% performers with equally Medals 25% 24% (gold 32%) compelling stories. All of this happened on the world These were backed up by some leave no stone unturned to review stage and the microcosm great Top 8’s/Finalists and PB’s. all aspects of high performance that we operate in at the Of course statistics don’t tell the full sport and make the necessary story! We can ask no more of our adjustments to enable them and VIS was no different. This athletes that they arrive fit, healthy future generations to be successful edition provides an insight and in good form to compete; the in their careers. Let’s hope with to our athletes and their performances then take care of the pressure and emotion now themselves. I extend our thanks dissipating we can get on with experiences of Rio 2016 and and congratulations to the 57 constructive conversations. the many years of preparation Olympians and 36 Paralympians Away from the Games, Jacinta which brought them to for their endeavors over the 4 year Carroll continues to dominate their moment of destiny. cycle. Behind these athletes has the waterskiing world, breaking been great support provided by VIS the world jumping record twice in coaches and performance services September and becoming the first staff, contracted experts, along with woman to jump over 60m, a barrier personal coaches, clubs, SSA/NSO’s many thought was unbreakable! and of course their families. Jacinta did this whilst undertaking The observations regarding a Masters degree in Physiotherapy performances and the commentary full time and taking up a new sport on Australia’s Winning Edge (AWE) of weightlifting, epitomising our strategy which was played out in motto of “success in sport & life”. the media, was unedifying and So we look to Tokyo and of course disrespectful to Australian athletes. the road for our winter athletes They have a right to expect to PyeongChang and then the administrators will be calm and on the Gold measured in our deliberations and Coast in 2018.

| November 2016 3 MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR SPORT

THE HON JOHN EREN MP Minister for Sport

On behalf of the Victorian The performances of our VIS Olympic – silver, 100m and 200m and Paralympic representatives was sprint, bronze 4x100m relay Government and all inspirational and gave all Victorians Victorians, I would like great joy. – bronze, F20 Shot Put to commend the VIS Under the watchful eye of the VIS, and your entire list some 30 Victorian athletes featured Ashleigh McConnell – gold, 4x100m 34 points freestyle relay of athletes, coaches, on the winner’s podium, bringing home a swag of medals from Rio. support staff, officials and – silver, S10 400m freestyle administrators on your Who could forget Mack Horton’s 400m freestyle swim, pipping – silver, H5 time trial recent Rio campaign. Chinese rival for gold? And then there was ’s gold Amanda Reynolds – silver, 200m medal double, acing the wheelchair KL3 canoe tennis singles and doubles. , , And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Andrew Harrison, Josh Hose, Congratulations also to: , Matthew Lewis and Jayden Warn – gold, wheelchair Anabelle Smith – bronze, rugby synchronised diving The achievements and performances Catherine Skinner – gold, trap of all our VIS Athletes are shooting extraordinary. As a state we are Alec Potts – bronze, archery so proud of them. (team) We love watching our athletes fly our Karsten Forsterling – silver, nation’s flag in the green and gold. quadruple sculls That’s why the Victorian Government William Lockwood, Joshua proudly donated $775,000 to support Dunkley-Smith, Joshua Booth – our athletes at the Rio Olympic and silver, coxless fours rowing Paralympic Games. – gold, T1-2 cycling Victoria has some of the highest road race and time trial sporting participation rates in the nation and I have no doubt even Timothy Disken – gold, 100m more Victorians will be donning their freestyle, silver 50m S9 freestyle, sports gear and signing up to local bronze 200m S9 individual medley clubs after watching their heroes in – silver, C5 action at Rio. cycling time trial and 4000m I look forward to joining all Victorians individual pursuit in celebrating even more inspiring – bronze, B 1km sporting achievements thanks to track cycling time trial the VIS.

4 November 2016 | OUR GOLDEN ROLE Mack Horton’s sensational 400m freestyle victory, early in the afternoon on that first Sunday of Rio Dr Elaine Tor - action, lit-up Australia’s An Extra Kick at Rio

Photo Credit: Ltd Delly Carr Olympic campaign. VIS Biomechanist, Dr Elaine Tor, worked closely with Mack in the lead up to Championships in and the Rio Olympics four months later. The 20 year old from Interestingly, while Victorians have Between that Adelaide meeting, when Mack became a household name enjoyed great success in other swam the third fastest 400m in history, and “overnight”. sports such as rowing, cycling and the Games Elaine and coach Craig Jackson track and field, we haven’t won Of course coaches and staff at the came up with a secret weapon. many swimming golds. Perhaps it’s VIS weren’t as surprised as the rest After drilling down into the performances of related to the climate! of the nation because they realised Mack’s main opponents they identified key that the “overnight success” had When Leisel Jones was based in opportunities emerging for the 20 year old been many years in the making. Melbourne she became the only VIS scholarship holder to gain water on the others. Horton was still at school when he VIS athlete to win an individual They planned carefully where he would turned heads on the international swimming gold medal at the change gear whilst holding his stroke and, stage by sweeping all four Olympic Games. perhaps most important of all, they decided freestyle titles from 200m-1500m During the 18 months prior to the to add an extra kick to his final turn. at the World Junior Swimming Games “Mack the Knife”, as he was Championships in Dubai in 2013. Mack would kick three times, instead of his invariably dubbed by the media, usual two. Barely out of his teen years when spent one day a week at the VIS working on his technique in the Check out what happens at that last turn - go he was selected for Rio the feeling to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_ pool and his strength in the gym. was he might win gold in 2016, but lmX-YmyrY. he should be swimming quicker in Five days a week he was across the You’ll see arch rival Sun Yang narrowly Tokyo four years later. road at MSAC. leading as they approach the wall but when Well, we didn’t have to wait for A number of VIS staff helped Coach Mack surfaces after the turn he’s clearly in Tokyo to see the young man come Craig Jackson prepare Mack for front and it was a lead he never relinquished. of age. Australians were still his Rio campaign, in particular, It took four months to perfect that extra kick! Strength and Conditioning Coach settling in to their Rio TV viewing Elaine and the team also focused on other John Tascone, Sport Scientist Nick patterns on day one at the pool aspects of the turns. Mack’s turns were too when Mack stormed home in a Owen and Biomechanist Dr Elaine shallow and he was pushing off into a “wall thrilling finish to snatch the gold Tor (see sidebar). of drag”. The team worked with him to turn medal from the favourite, ’s Tascone spent hours working deeper so he was travelling faster while Sun Yang. on Mack’s strength so that he using less energy because he wasn’t fighting against the drag. They even developed a would have maximum rebound He joins an illustrious list of world first App with Victoria University and Australian champions to win the when he turned, while Owen has Superinteractive which gave instantaneous Olympic 400m title, including been in Mack’s corner for the last readings of wall contact times. , and Ian few years. So can we quantify the success of the turn Thorpe. Each of them rightly feel in their improvements? Rose defended his 1956 Melbourne own way that they contributed Mack’s longer race, the 1500m, provides crown at the following Olympics in to a victory that has already more opportunity for broad analysis. He was and Thorpe famously went found itself a niche in Australian ten seconds off his PB in that final race but back to back in Sydney and Athens. sporting folklore. incredibly the race analysis showed his turn times were quicker than ever. Clearly there The Training Schedule of an Olympic Champion were other factors at play in the 1500m final. When millions of Australians tuned in to Monday 6.00-8.30 am, 3.00-5.15 pm MSAC watch Mack win gold on that first Sunday, they thought the swimming gods were Tuesday 6.00-8.30 am, 3.00-5.15 pm MSAC smiling again on a country blessed with Wednesday 10.00 am-12.00pm biomechanics VIS aquatic talent. What they didn’t realise was Thursday 6.00-8.30 am, 3.00pm-5.15 pm MSAC the relentless application to analysis and improvement, which helped make it possible. Friday 5.30- 7.45 am, 3.00- 5.15pm MSAC Saturday 5.30-7.45 am MSAC

| November 2016 5 CATHERINE THE GREAT Catherine Skinner’s unforgettable gold medal in Rio speaks volumes for her attitude to competition and to life.

“Never Quit. Never Lose Hope” is a motto that has affixed Skinner ended up winning the gold 12-11. itself indelibly to the trap shooter from Mansfield in North In retrospect, Skinner felt that she had been in the East Victoria. pressure cooker environment so often that she knew how Skinner twice came from the brink of defeat on the to handle the diversions. In similar situations in the past, first Monday of the Games to become the second VIS such as the Commonwealth Games where she scholarship holder to win gold at the 2016 Olympics (Mack finished fifth, Skinner hadn’t been able to hold it together Horton had already won the 400 metres freestyle the for long enough. previous day). She brings a similar “don’t quit” ethos to life. But the 26 year old did it the hard way, she had to beat Ask any VIS coach about the young athletes who “give it the Canadian Cynthia Myer in a shoot off just to make the away too early” and each of them will have stories to share semi-final, and then in the gold medal clash she fell behind with you. early against New Zealand’s Natalie Rooney. Catherine began shooting when she was 12, after her Skinner at one stage was down by a significant amount, father and brother took her to a range. Over the last 14 two targets, when some technical issues kicked-in at the years there have been numerous occasions when she’s Deodoro range. The microphone wasn’t working properly seriously considered simply walking away from the sport and the targets were malfunctioning. as she watched her young friends leading a more carefree Sure it would have been easy at that stage to let her lifestyle or struggled to complete units for her Degree in frustrations win and to settle for silver which would have Chemical Engineering. given Australia its first shooting medal since . But, as we know, she’s not a quitter which is why she’s Instead, Skinner channelled her anger and managed to become the first Australian shooter to win Olympic gold “steady” while at the same time Rooney began to struggle. since Susie Balogh way back at Athens in 2004.

Golden Child Prior to Rio the VIS contacted many of Soon Ken had his landline in one hand, the athletes’ families to find out who and his mobile phone in the other as would be at the Games and who would he answered calls from radio stations be staying home. We knew that if a son around Australia. or daughter had Olympic success there Unable to get through to him, one could be media mayhem. radio station asked a local journalist in Ken Skinner is Catherine’s father, he’s a Mansfield to get out to the farm with had Catherine on a Skype call and he Mansfield famer who decided not to go her own mobile. could talk to her if he wanted to. Ken to Rio because there would possibly be The radio program calls were followed says he didn’t realise they were going too much excitement. by the TV stations, which sent crews live to air and, to this day, is unsure of Well the excitement followed him to to the Skinner farm, and then came “what rubbish I told her”. Mansfield. the newspaper journalists and Ironically while the media could offer photographers. At 5.30 in the morning, an hour after his him an opportunity to talk to Catherine daughter won gold, his phone started It didn’t stop, and Ken didn’t eat, until it was more than three days until he ringing, and it wasn’t just his phone. five o’clock that afternoon. could actually get hold of her in Rio for a There’s another Skinner family in quiet chat. The most embarrassing moment came Mansfield and their line was also ringing when one radio station told him they By the following morning there was not off the hook before the sun came up. a single call, the media had moved on.

6 November 2016 | STEELERS STEAL VICTORY They went to Rio as the defending Paralympic champions with the intent to win back- to-back gold. And after an epic final, the Aussie Steelers claimed the historic murderball victory with a thrilling 59-58 double overtime win against fierce rivals, the United States.

It marked the first time any nation had won back-to- Both the Aussies and team USA were undefeated in the back Paralympic titles and a world lead up to the final, qualifying on top of their respective championship in a four year stretch. pools. But Australia had been forced to work hard, narrowly edging Great Britain 53-51 in their opening game, before a Eight of those gold medallists formed part of the tense 63-62 escape against Canada. team returning in Rio, including VIS athlete Naz Erdem, The final lived up to the hype with the scores level at 49-all remarkably competing in his fifth consecutive Paralympic after the fourth quarter. Games. Fellow VIS athletes Andrew Harrison, Josh Hose, and Jason Lees also returned to win their second gold, In a tense goal-for-goal overtime, it looked as if USA were while Matt Lewis, Jayden Warn and Ben Fawcett enjoyed a going to reclaim their Beijing title, but the Aussie Steelers winning debut. held on to force a double overtime, with Chris Bond equalising the score 54-a piece with 1.4 seconds to go. Team USA were always going to be one of the toughest The second overtime was equally nail biting. But the challenges for the Australian side. While the Steelers were Steelers managed to claw ahead 59-58, with the reigning champions in Rio, team USA entered the notching up his 27th score to put the Australian team in Games as the No. 1 ranked team in the world. front by one point with 49 seconds remaining. Furthermore, the USA hoodoo hung over the Aussies as With the clock ticking down, the pressure mounted on the they had avoided a clash against the defending champions Aussie defence to stop USA from levelling the score. The in London and they knew they had to refine their tactics in Steelers prevailed to snatch gold and go back-to back for order to triumph against the three-time winners. the first time.

Photo Credit: Australian Paralympic Committee | November 2016 7 8 years old.Ican’t thankthemenoughforall ofthesupportandI’mglad Icoulddoeveryoneproudand dothemjustice! A bigthankyoutotheVISthey’ve beenmassivesupportersofmeeversinceIgotmy firstscholarshipwhenIwas15-16 year careerorso.Withouttheir supportIwouldn’tbeable pretty muchforeveryonewho’s supportedmeovermyten and honouredtosayIcould achieve. Thesegoldmedalsare just ahugelysatisfyingfeeling andonethatI’mhumbled in wholeheartedlyandtocome awaywiththegoldinRiois When Idecidedtomaketheswitcheverybodybackedme including theVIS,TennisAustraliaandBasketballAustralia. does itjusticetoallofthepeoplewhohavesupportedme To jointhatlistIthinkisanincrediblefeatbutalsoitjust mean toyou? gold medalsacrosstwodifferentsports.Whatdoesthat You nowjoinjustahandfulofathletestohavewontwo medal isjustsuchamassiveweightoffmyshoulders. chance. Youhavetowaitfouryears,sothatgold lose agrandslam,threemonthslateryou’vegotanother don’t wanttolose”than“Iwin”.It’snotlikeifyou a massivefeelingofreliefbecauseyouthinkmoreabout“I disappointed, soitwasamazing.Inthatmomentit’sjust without thatsinglesgoldmedal,Iwouldhavebeenhugely I wastraining.reallyenjoyedthedoublesbutifleftRio thought abouteverydayforthreeandahalfyearswhen I wenttoRiowinthesinglesgoldmedal.That’swhat Paralympic gold. Describe themomentwhenyouwonyourfirstindividual and whatthefutureholds: up withDylantotalkaboutwinningthedoublegoldinRio VIS MarketingandMediaintern,AlyssiaVarricchio,caught Lapthorne 6-3,6-4. in thesinglesfollowingday,defeatingBritain’sAndy Alcott thenclaimedhisfirstParalympicindividualglory United States4-66-47-5. Paralympic championsDavidWagnerandNickTaylorofthe wheelchair doublesgold,upsettingthree-timereigning worked theirwayfromthebrinkofdefeattoclaimquad Alcott andchildhoodplayingpartnerHeathDavidson of tennistocompeteinRio. But hereturnedtohisfirstlove Beijing andsilverinLondon. -winninggoldin Games playingwheelchair Australia attheParalympic Alcott firstrepresented Triple goldmedallistDylan HISTORY ALCOTT CREATES November 2016

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definitely notruling itout. long wayoffbut IthinkTokyowillbeacool GamessoI’m us ourmedalsandthingslike thatsowhoknows.It’sa before. Ithinkwe’llhaverobots walkingaroundandgiving put onanabsolutelyincredible showlikewe’veneverseen think itprobablywillbethetennis andIthinkTokyowill I quitsport,don’tknow.But ifI’mgoingtogoTokyoI people withdisabilities,somaybeI’lldothat.Ifthatmeans continuing tobreakbarriersandchangestigmasagainst on aregularbasis.Thatwouldbereallypowerfulin positive rolemodelsinmainstreammediawithdisabilities absolutely awesomebutIthinkthereneedstobemore with disabilitiesruletheworldfortwoweeks.Ithinkthat’s the ParalympicGamesbecauseeveryfouryearspeople I reallywanttoworkinthemedia,TVandradio.love and winthreeinarowthenafterthatI’llreassess. title attheAustralianOpennextyearinMelbournetotry I’ve gotabsolutelynoideaatthemoment.I’lldefendmy defending yourtitlesinTokyo? What doesthefuturehold?Doyouhaveyoursightsseton they said.Theywerejustkidssayingdumbthings. things tootherpeople.I’msuretheyfeelsillyaboutwhat me realisethatanditmadenotwanttosayhurtful made meabetterpersonIguessinthesensethatit legends thatareworthhangingoutwith.Theyprobably years oldoryou’re30,therearetensofthousandsother everyone thatgivesyouahardtime,whetheryou’reeight I’m notspitefulinonebit.Ithinkjustrealisedthatfor you haveachieved? What wouldyousaytoyourbulliesnowgivenhowmuch that Ikeepinpristinecondition! medals witheverybody.ThenI’vegottheothergoldmedal and it’sdefinitelyseenbetterdays,butIlovesharingthe one goldmedalItakeoutwithmeandabsolutelytrash, pretty luckythatI’vegottwogoldmedalsfromRiobecause to bethepersonIamtodayorsportsmanthatam.I’m

Photo Credit: Australian Paralympic Committee “DISKO” DANCES TO HIS OWN BEAT There were as many amazing stories at the Rio Paralympics as there were athletes so when the Paralympians themselves talk about a guy who’s a “bit special” you certainly take notice.

“Disko”, as he’s known to his mates, was born early at 24 weeks with cerebral palsy and a host of other issues including feeding problems which meant he took nutrition through a gastronomical feeding tube. He used this until he was 17 years of age. Tim also had to live with a condition common in cerebral palsy children - shunted hydrocephalus - which meant that extra cerebrospinal fluid in the brain can lead to blurred vision, balance problems and other issues. These setbacks haven’t prevented Tim living a very full life, he’s completed secondary school, he produces house music and also drives a very hot Mitsubishi Magna Ralliart car which he has christened “The Ninja”. But most importantly of all, he swims for Australia and he does it incredibly well. He got his water wings when he was just four years of age, and by 10 he was already competing. Since then it’s been a slow build culminating with an Australian title in 2014 and two years later, selection in the Australian Paralympic team at 19 years old. We could stop the story right here and people would still rejoice at Tim’s achievements, however, it looks like it’s just the beginning for this young man from Melbourne. He brought home three medals* from Rio including a gold in the 100 metre S9 freestyle. Australia went “one-two” in that event with Tim beating a dual London gold medallist, from Queensland. Both swimmers pushed each other in a desperate final 30 metres of the race and Tim says it certainly “stung a bit” but the pain was all worth it. That victory was extra sweet because one of Tim’s idols, the great triple treated in this event winning in Athens, Beijing and London. Tim says to now “own” that Paralympic title seems a bit surreal. Prior to Rio Tim thought just wearing the green and gold was incredibly special, but now, with three medals in the trophy cabinet at Glen Waverly, he has set his sights on backing up in Tokyo in 2020. It is indeed a great story and it’s still only young.

*Disken’s medals- gold S9 100 freestyles, silver S9 50metre freestyle, bronze SM9 200metre IM Photo Credit: Australian Paralympic Committee

| November 2016 9 SOCIAL MEDIA

SPRING IN STEP FOR SMITH A clutch dive from VIS athlete Anabelle Smith and partner Maddison Keeney on their final attempt gave Australia a bronze medal in the women’s synchronised three metre springboard final at the Rio Loudy Wiggins Olympic Games.

Smith and Keeney were in fifth people within the Australian team place going into the final round at and cheering on other athletes. The Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre but last night the whole team had a big posted a score of 71.10 to overhaul celebration in the village which was Canada and Malaysia, who were a great way to finish off the Games. third and fourth at the time. What “wowed” you the most? They endured a nervous moment Seeing Usain Bolt win the 100m Long term VIS scholarship holder and two time as the Canadian had their final dive and 200m final with a smile on his Olympic diving bronze medallist, Loudy Wiggins, but 67.50 was not enough to edge face as he crossed the line. He is delivered expert diving commentary on Channel out the Australians. the most phenomenal athlete in 7 in Rio. She spoke to the VIS marketing team about her experience: Now a dual Olympian, Anabelle the world and is a prime example spoke to VIS Marketing and of being able to deal with pressure My last Olympic competition dive was a little Communications Coordinator, but also enjoying yourself and over 4 years ago and I remember thinking “that Ashley Carr, about her Rio soaking up the moment. can’t be it, I want to go to Rio!“ experience: Tell us about village life… Arriving in Rio felt a lot like the Athens Olympics – including the media build-up of the city The village was great. It had How does it feel to be an not being ready, but there was a difference. Olympic Bronze Medallist? everything we needed and In Athens it was still all systems go with It feels so surreal! It is so the Australian ‘Hub’ was my workmanship until the Opening ceremony rewarding to know that all the favourite place to hang out. We commenced. In Rio, not so much… hard work over so many years has played some serious table tennis culminated in an Olympic medal! matches and also shot some The diving program was spread over 2 weeks of competition. It wasn’t a crazy schedule, but I had hoops on the basketball courts. It How did you celebrate? my own little personal goal – I wanted to call was great to be amongst so many Maddi and I spent the whole night an Australian Olympic diving medal. I got that athletes from around the world…I doing media and interviews but opportunity on day 2 with Anabelle Smith and often got stars struck! then treated ourselves with a well- Madison Keaney sneaking onto the podium in the 3m synchro event. Thanks girls! deserved McDonald’s for brekkie How did Rio differ from your the next morning! London 2012 experience? Overall, Australia did well in the diving – our Rio was completely different - target was 1 – 2 medals and we came away with At one stage in the final, you were mainly because we had to be a bronze, two 5th places and a 6th. I was on the last in the field of eight. How did more concerned with our personal edge of my seat in most of the finals, shed a you settle your nerves before your few tears of joy (that hopefully) I disguised and safety. We were unable to just final dives? realised what a diehard sports fan I really am. I think being 8th after the first roam around the streets of Brazil! couple of rounds made us think We also competed in an outdoor The diving program at the Olympics always causes major upsets and Rio was no exception. that we had lost any chance of pool in Rio which made the We saw failed dives, a few near misses, world winning a medal so we totally atmosphere much less intense, plus I felt calmer during my champions not proceeding to finals, but there switched to relax mode and tried were a few surprises that caught everyone off competition as I had the London to enjoy ourselves. So we weren’t guard; including a green pool (all publicity is good really nervous because we weren’t experience behind me. publicity, right?!) and a Great Britain diving gold aware we were still in with a shot What next….? medal that didn’t involve Tom Daley! going into the last round! It worked I’ve enjoyed some time off and in our favour! Rio as the host nation certainly had its had a great time at the welcome challenges from transport issues, accessibility What was your best moment home parades around the country. to good food, accommodation and my favourite from the Games? Eventually it will be time to dust hashtag #smellsofrio, but despite all that I was Apart from standing on the podium, off the bathers and get back in the so grateful to have sat in a diving pool, fullY I would have to say meeting new pool! I now know 4 years flies by! clothed and dry and still able to learn from, and enjoy, my Olympic experience. Bring on Tokyo! 12 November 2016 | POTT LUCK There was yelling and jumping around in the Potts household of Mount Eliza when archer son Alec Potts won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, Australia’s first at the Games.

Alec’s mother Shona said the family’s dog “Sunny” fled in finishing both my team and individual campaigns with a fright at the ruckus they made when Alec, aged just 20, ten, this is something that I really wanted to do, to make and teammates Taylor Worth and Ryan Tyack finished in sure that I had left everything I had out on the field. third place. Who gave you the most support leading into the Games Alec took up archery as a child when the family was living and how? in the English town of Orpington, Kent, near castles and a The most support I had leading into the Games was Roman villa. His mum took him to jousting tournaments probably a combination of the help from VIS and also and he also learned fencing. On return to Melbourne in my parents. The VIS was great as being on an individual 2007, he joined the AIM archery club in Cheltenham and scholarship, I was able to go in and manage my own times loved it. He is now an Olympic medallist. for gym and psych, massage etc. and I found that I work better when given this kind of independence. Alec spoke to the VIS marketing team about his debut Olympic experience: Tell us a little about your brush with the Brazilian authorities? How does it feel to be an Olympic Bronze Medalist? The accreditation scandal was an unfortunate end to It feels great to be a bronze medallist! I went into these the whole experience, it was especially disappointing to Games hoping to do well but I didn’t expect to come home see how the Australian media originally portrayed us as with a medal from my first Olympics. So it really motivates “troublemakers” before all the facts were released. But I’m me to see how much more I can do in 4 years time. just glad now that the public can see exactly what really went on and in a few years’ time it’ll make a great story! How did you celebrate? I didn’t really have too much chance to celebrate What next….? because our individual event was so soon after the team Now I have a few domestic tournaments for the competition, but I did allow myself a sneaky Maccas run remainder of the year, and although I won’t be “training” between the events…! as such, I’ll still be shooting regularly but will have more of a focus on running my business, Eliza Archery, and What was your best moment from the Games? working with school groups etc. through the next 12 My best moment from the Games would have to be months to teach archery to a wider audience.

| November 2016 13 Photo Credit: Australian Paralympic Committee

TRIPPS LONG JOURNEY One of the most poignant photos to emerge from the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics featured hand cyclist Stuart Tripp with his face crumpled into tears when he phoned his biggest supporter, his wife Gillean, after winning the silver medal in the H5 time trial.

towns as he pushed through them - troubled by severe injuries in 2015 Falls Creek, Mitta Mitta, Khancoban, which at one stage raised doubts Jindabyne, Bombala, Cann River, about his team selection. Metung, Omeo, Bright. Then, after he’d been selected in the He’s been ticking off goals ever since Australian team, he spent five days and achieved one of the biggest of in bed at the pre-Paralympic training all when he rode off first in the 20 camp in Rome because of a severe kilometre time trial in Rio. reaction to his Yellow Fever injection. Tripp pushed himself to the limits Eventually, when he got to Rio, he and knew his time had set down a faced the biggest challenge of them They were tears of joy and relief as challenge to the other nine riders. all - actually competing to the best of Tripp’s long journey to Paralympic He watched with a growing sense of his ability. Stuart says the VIS played success reached a sensational finale. excitement as the next six riders fell a huge role in helping him produce his That journey began 22 years ago when short and when the seventh rider best at the right time. the car he was driving ran off the also failed to make a dent on the Strength and Conditioning coach road and wrapped itself around a tree leader board he knew he had won, at a Luke Mackey, Dietitian Kylie Andrew, leaving Stuart fighting for his life. minimum, his first Paralympic medal! master masseur Arnaud Domange Tripp lost a leg in that accident and The time trial is surely one of the and Dr Greg Hickey all helped him build for many years lost hope whilst cruellest of Olympic/Paralympic a strong base from which to launch self-medicating with alcohol and events in that the early riders have to his medal assault. Then, on the day of smoking himself towards a probable wait anxiously to see if their time is to the time trial, he was able to a set a early grave. be bettered by those who follow and sizzling time because of the speed and it can be easy to start believing you’re performance work Sport Scientist Nick “Sport” turned his life around, initially in medal contention only to see your Owen had done with him. through swimming and then hand name wiped from the leader board at cycling which he took up in 2003. Now that he finally has some any stage of the event. Paralympic “bling” to sit alongside his A year later he proved to himself that No sooner had Stuart allowed himself 2014 World Championship silver medal he had something special to offer the luxury of thinking he might be perhaps that marks the end of Stuart when he rode a circuit which started a gold medallist than Alex Zanardi, Tripp’s journey? and ended in Bright, at the foothills of the last rider, pipped his time by the the Victorian High Country. “No way” he replies. Instead of closing desperately small margin of 2.74 a chapter on his life, the Paralympic Over 10 days Tripp hand cycled seconds. silver has only made him hungrier for through 1077 kilometres of the Still, in the context of Stuart’s overall the gold at Tokyo in 2020. steepest terrain in Australia. At times journey, it was a stunning result. he was in tears as he willed himself up Our tip is to never write off a guy muddy roads that would have been a At 47 he was four years older than who has hand cycled across the challenge to a four wheel driver. But the London Paralympics when he Australian Alps from Bright to Bright he refused to quit and ticked off the had finished fifth. He had also been via Cann River!

14 November 2016 | LATEFUL EIGHT Finishing dead last in their opening heat at Lagoa Stadium wasn’t enough to wipe the smile off the faces of the self-styled “Lateful Eight” crew in Rio.

The Australian women’s eight only touched down in Brazil midway through the Opening Ceremony after getting a late call-up to replace Russia in the field, who were banned in connection with the country’s doping scandal. With only two weeks preparation under their belts, the Aussies had to borrow a boat and oars to compete and had just two days in Brazil to acclimatise! VIS athlete Fiona Albert, who was training for a marathon when she got told to “pack your bags, you’re going to Rio”, spoke to Ashley Carr about her debut Olympic experience: There’s no easy answer to the question “what was the best thing about the Olympics?” The experience as a whole was so phenomenal that it’s hard to distil it down to one thing. The opportunity to represent my country at the pinnacle of all sporting events in the world was incredible. Lining up against the most talented athletes and racing down the course under the outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer was amazing. But what has stuck with me most since coming back was simply being at the village, surrounded by thousands of strangers, but instantly knowing something about them. Knowing that whoever they are, wherever they come from, they have put in years of hard work to get to this point, and they are here to produce the best sporting performance of their lives and to do their country proud. That common goal transcended any cultural or language barriers and created a global community vibe in the village that I haven’t experienced anywhere else.

Photo Credit: Rowing Australia Athletes (front to back): Charlotte Sutherland, , Olympia Aldersey, Molly Goodman, Meaghan Volker, Alexandra Hagan, Jessica Morrison, Fiona Albert | November 2016 15 16

standout seasons. Tom Robertsonabouttheir Marketing andMediaintern dual OlympiansspoketoVIS peak oftheirpowers.The at theRioGamesin athletics andbothcompeted glamour coupleofAustralian world together.Theyarethe together andtravelthe LaCaze livetogether,train Gregson andGenevieve Long distancerunnersRyan ROMANCE… RUNNING AND Photo Credit: Athletics Australia Getty Images November 2016

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the Paris Diamond League where the ParisDiamond Leaguewhere Talk usthrough thatspecialraceat the lastfew! I wasracingonalotofadrenaline for think afterafewsolidperformances I couldtoproducethebestresult. I race daybyandgaveeverything immediately aheadofme.Itookeach kept allmyfocusonlyonthetask would allplayoutsoImadesure Honestly Ididn’tknowhowit manage theworkloadinRio? finals. Howdidyoueffectively the 3000msteeplechaseand5000m perform. YoumanagedPBsinboth to double-upatanOlympicsand History showsit’sverydifficult show formforalongerperiodoftime. of trainingtocontinuebuildand layer somanyuninterruptedmonths the sameformulabutIwasableto much (ifanything)thisyear.Wekept as possible.Mycoachdidn’tchange I couldtokeepmybodyashealthy a yearandhalfdideverything consistency. Iremainedinjuryfreefor down tothisseasonwas The mainthingIputmysuccess period? world-class formforanine-month was thekeytomaintainingthis January toSeptemberthisyear;what Personal bestsstretchedfrom Gen: true. true. compete. Itwill beadreamcome by thatwillbe abletowatchme so manyfamily andfriendsclose Coast forafewyearsnow.I will have about theCommGameson the Gold Yes! Ican’twait.havebeen talking appealing? Commonwealth Gamesmust be prospect ofcompetingatahome Originally fromQueensland,the new goalsfor2017. boxes Itickedthisseasonandmake for meisnowreadjustingthose in someeventsbutthebiggestthing I wouldliketolowerafewmorePBs were thereanythatremainatlarge? You tickedcountlessboxesin2016, for abigPBhere!”. 200ms togoIthought“wowI’mon wasn’t awareofmytimeuntilabout and takingmorepeople.I and justkeptattackingeverybarrier to give.Ifeltamazingthewholerace wasn’t sureiftherewasmuchleft 40 lapsoftheOlympicstadiumand had justcompleted6daysofracing given allIhadaweekearlierinRio. mainly becauseIthoughtmayhave forget. NotjustbecauseIranwellbut Paris wasaspecialracethatI’llnever steeplechase record… you broketheAustralian3000m final was no longer the benchmark. final wasnolonger thebenchmark. knowing thatsimplymaking the achievement, butIalsoleftRio is. Iunderstandthatit’sagood final showshowtoughtheevent to qualifyfortheOlympic1500m Being thefirstmanin40years must beprettyspecial? final inthe1500m40years,that First AustraliantomakeanOlympic worried. as longIwasfitinMay,wasn’t qualifying about6timesIthink,so from Mayonwards.Iendedup opportunities weregoingtocome domestic seasonbutIknewthebig races. Ihadalotoffunduringthe get thetrainingdoneandwin No. MyaiminAustraliawasto Australia? Olympic qualifierdidn’teventuatein Were youatallconcernedwhenan had highexpectations. year thatyear.AfteragoodstartI the startof2010,andIhadagreat started offjustasgoodthatwas confidence. TheonlyotheryearI It gavemeagreatdealof the confidence fortheremainderof important wasthistogiveyou Australian domesticseason,how Undefeated throughoutthe Ryan:

season? season? may seem. may seem. the way,nomatter howgrimthings team aroundyou whobackyouall preparation. Whathelpsishaving a and strengthuntilIcouldget this I justhadtomastermytraining could doifIhadagoodpreparation. I alwayshadtotalfaithinwhat I must’ve beenvital? after injury,trustingtheprocess During thedifficulttimesofinjury consistent trainingunderthebelt. in manyyears,largelydueto 2016 wasarguablyyourbest of thisexperience. I’ll bemuchbetterpreparedbecause ever inachampionshipfinalagain, opportunity missed,butIknowifI’m type ofrace.Iknowitwasabig knew howtoraceinabsolutelyany guys whogotmedalsshowedthey human, Imadeamistake,butthe needed tolearnthislesson.I’m I waswellprepared,butobviously much ontheline? prepare forthiswhenthereisso tactical affair...Howdoyoubest The Olympicfinalwasaslow, training there. because weare definitelyspoiltwhen I loveourmonths inMelbourne my trainingdayasefficient possible. facilities allincloseproximity making the track,gym,medicalandrecovery for measaprofessionalathlete. Ihave Gen: TheVIShasmadelifealoteasier tub too! most days,andIregularlyusethehot at theVIS.IusegymVIS weekly massagethroughGillianNiven from NathanHeaneyattheVIS,and strength andconditioningprogram Ryan: I’vehadgreatsupportwithmy great heightsthisseason? Sport assistedyoutoachievingsuch How hastheVictorianInstituteof I leftatwo-timeOlympicfinalist. came prepared.Itwasallbusinessand Rio, Iknewwhathadtodobecause and walkintheopeningceremony.In London Iwashappytogettheuniform numbers ontheteameveragain.In that Ineverwantedtojustmakeup Gen: Experience.Ilearntin2012 who didn’thavemuchidea. dedicated asIamnow.wasjustaboy wasn’t anywherenearasdisciplinedor hard beforetheLondonOlympics,butI Ryan: Workethic.Ithoughttrained improved inRio? take fromLondontoensureyou Now dualOlympians,whatdidyou Both:

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November 2016

Photo Credit: Athletics

17 Australia Getty Images BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH Former VIS rower turned media professional, Lachlan McKinnon, was fortunate enough to be able to work at the Rio Olympic Games as a videographer with the Australian Olympic Team. He spoke to the VIS marketing team about his experience behind the scenes at the greatest show on earth.

It was a phenomenal experience to play a (minute) 3. The crowds at the Equestrian jumping event must part at the preeminent sporting event in the world and maintain silence during each round as the rider and witness so many awe-inspiring, wonderful and emotional horse go over the course. All you can hear are the moments at close range. clicks of photographic cameras and the distant sounds of media commentators in the grandstand. Yet the It’s hard to single out my favourite moments of the Games when there were just so many to choose from but moment they cross the final jump and manage to go here are some that spring to mind: through without any penalties is a sight to behold with a deafening roar of celebration. Amplify that by ten 1. Watching the Refugee Olympic Team press conference when it’s a Brazilian. prior to the commencement of the Games. These ten displaced athletes are literally without a home country Many people have asked me what the city of Rio was yet come together to compete under the Olympic flag. like and how the local people responded to the Olympic Their individual stories of survival are heart-wrenching Games: I believe they handled it very well and should but they haven’t let it affect their hopes and dreams hold their heads high. It may not have had the beauty and inspire even the most hardened sports fan with of Sydney 2000, the organisation of Beijing 2008 or the their perseverance and optimism. Pierre de Coubertin popularity of London 2012, but it had its own laissez faire would be proud indeed. style that reflects the South American continent. As a media colleague pointed out, if the Games are to maintain 2. Seeing an Australian win an Olympic medal live: their social & cultural relevance they need to reach all whether it was gold, silver or bronze, it was a corners of the globe and strive to overcome issues rather proud moment to witness a fellow countryman or than simply avoid them. countrywoman stand on the dais in the green and gold with a beaming smile or tears streaming down their I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work at an face. Seeing the reaction of fans from other countries Olympic Games and witness VIS and Australian athletes to their successes was wonderful too, and it highlighted give their all in pursuit of success in sport and life. Your W:180 X H:50MM the positives that can arise from national pride. turn Tokyo 2020.

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