As another Olympic year approached us, the expectations were unsurprisingly at a high standard, as the Aussie athletes were sent to Rio with the weight of the nation on their shoulders.
Although some believe that these athletes have failed to meet the expectations, the fact is that they’ve actually exceeded the expectations demanded of them in a completely different way that none of us saw coming.
Two months ago, nobody would’ve predicted that we’d win our first ever medal in a modern pentathlon, or that our women would beat New Zealand in the first ever Olympic rugby sevens final.
But we did, and that’s only the beginning of what’s been an inspiring Olympic performance by our Australian athletes.
These athletes have put in four years and beyond of tireless work to do their country proud and they should be able to be satisfied and content with their achievements.
Just getting to Rio is an amazing feat, let alone grasping that euphoric feeling of standing on the podium with a medal wrapped around their neck.
Our Aussie athletes shouldn’t be victims of criticism from no-good couch potatoes. They should be congratulated with the warmest praise, as they’ve abandoned their sense of normality and easy-going lifestyles for a chaotic life filled with training and competition.
All for the simple reason to represent their country on the most prestigious sporting stage.
Going into the Olympics, the spotlight was on the veterans of the Aussie team, who have been illustrious in their ability to fly Australia’s flag over the past decade.
However, this year’s tournament has played homage to the underdogs of the Aussie team, as they’ve represented Australia in fine fashion by demonstrating tremendous acts of courage in their respective sports.
Chloe Esposito is a now a familiar name who has surfaced our news feeds with her incredible comeback from seventh position to claim Australia’s first ever gold medal in the modern pentathlon.
If seeing a young fighting Aussie standing on the podium with tears in her eyes and her hand on her heart singing the national anthem proudly doesn’t inspire you, then I don’t know what will.
Chloe Esposito’s amazing performance serves as a true reminder to all Australians about the hard work that these athletes continue to endure for the good of their country.
But this is only one act of courage that has been exemplified these Olympics.
We all knew that Jared Tallent was one of the most inspirational athletes to ever wear Australian colours, but it wasn’t just his on-field courage that caught the eye of the public.
After trying his heart out in the 50km walk, he collapsed over the line- proudly aware of the fact that he’d just received a silver medal to take back home to Australia.
Soon after his race finished, Tallent, although exhausted, rushed over to the 20km race to watch his sister, Rachel follow in his footsteps.
Jarred stood proudly at the drinks station of the race, waiting readily with a cup of water to cheer on his sister enthusiastically and point her in the right direction during the race.
It was simply amazing to see him there, despite carrying an immense feeling of exhaustion throughout his whole body.
Now that’s true Aussie spirit.
Anyone who says that the Aussie athletes are a disappointment need to take a good, hard look at themselves in the mirror.
These athletes have done their country immensely proud and will be back bigger and better in Tokyo, in a bid to defy the critics and do their country proud once again.
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