Introduction
I began this blog as a hobby, to share tips & experiences about my recent travels around the world.
Then it occurred to me I was sitting on the story of an epic journey – one that more people might be interested in reading about. Anyone can jump on a plane to go explore another country. Not many experience the journey of becoming an Olympian.
I have always enjoyed writing, having kept journals of my travels since I was 12 years old. (Thanks Dad, for encouraging me to do this!) So not surprisingly, I wrote a journal about my biggest ‘trip’ of my lifetime – of becoming an Olympian and then a Commonwealth Games medalist. It’s been sitting on my hard drive for several years, unshared, until now…
For my close weightlifting friends reading this, don’t worry – “What goes on tour, stays on tour!” This is my account of my personal journey, including some of my most personal thoughts and feelings along the way.
Hope you find it interesting!
Chapter 2 – My introduction to Burwood Weightlifting Club & Head Coach Luke
Chapter 3 – Training & competing in the early days
Chapter 4 – Meeting other lifters
Chapter 5 – Set-backs and my first visit to Nauru
Chapter 6 – Training gets serious
Chapter 8 – A rollercoaster of Low’s & High’s
Chapter 9 – My first ‘Green & Gold’ – at the World Championships in Athens
Chapter 10 – The build up to Olympic Team selections
Chapter 11 – Sydney 2000 Olympic Team selections
Chapter 12 – Getting down to business
Chapter 13 – In march the drug testers – again
Chapter 14 – The eve of the Sydney 2000 Olympics
Chapter 15 – Arrival at the Olympics
Chapter 16 – My day of competition at the Olympic Games
Chapter 17 – Enjoying the rest of the Olympic Games
Chapter 18 – The big come down
Chapter 19 – Planning for 2002 Commonwealth Games
Chapter 20 – Manchester fast approaching & major set-backs
Chapter 21 – Another training camp in Melbourne
Chapter 22 – Arrival in Manchester
Chapter 23 – Village life leading up to competition
Chapter 24 – My day of competition at the Commonwealth Games
Chapter 25 – Enjoying the rest of the Commonwealth Games
Chapter 26 – Holidays – What’s that again?
Chapter 28 – World Championships in Poland
Chapter 29 – Considering retirement
Chapter 30 – Off to Tonga for Oceania Championships & fate becomes the decider
Chapter 31 – Taking an extended break
Chapter 32 – The come-back trail
Chapter 33 – The come-back stalls
Chapter 34 – Commonwealth Games Trials in Melbourne
Chapter 35 – The drugs subject rears its ugly head again
Chapter 36 – Onwards & Upwards… And off to a Training Camp at the AIS in Canberra
Chapter 37 – Arrival at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games