for we are young and free...

The last two days have been busy. Travelling, training, village life and the team induction have filled the schedule.

The induction was a highlight for the team on Saturday. An impressive compilation DVD of Australian Olympic greats in action to the theme of “Rise up” was followed by an inspirational poem crafted and delivered by the team motivator, Laurie Lawrence.

The team sung the national anthem with gusto and were then presented with commemorative blazer pockets by Michael Wenden, dual Olympic gold medallist and five time world record holder, to the tune of Waltzing Matilda and in the presence of Australian legend, Steve Waugh. The Baggy Green, along with John Eales and Kate Allen, is one of three athlete liaison officers at the Games. Kate, rowing gold medallist from Atlanta, is assigned to canoeing, among other sports.

The photos were keepers.

Sunday was the hottest day so far, topping 35 degrees in sunny Shunyi. The women’s crew trained in the morning and avoided the hottest part of the day.

The men, however, did two afternoon sessions and were able to fully feel the potential race conditions, a warm headwind blowing down the course.

The slalom session was also in the mid afternoon and was the first session of full length runs for the team. Mike Druce set a tough but realistic course with continual challenges giving the athletes a taste of things to come.

Team sports scientist and physio Brett Kemble have been kept busy with cooling and recovery strategies for the whole group and the hot conditions have done little to dent the commmitment and motivation of the athletes in training.

Our media liaison officer, David Pembroke, came to watch both disciplines train today. He is our buffer to take pressure off the athletes and field media enquiries as we approach the competition.

Time is flying by with just 8 days to the start of the slalom competition and only 5 days to the opening ceremony. It seems the village expands with each mealtime as new teams arrive from other countries or from other sections within the Australian team.

The latest section to arrive was the swimming team who along with rowing and men’s hockey have swelled the numbers in the Australian quarters adding to the atmosphere of a big and powerful team.