Teenager won’t let virus end his dream
JACK Hendy has not given up his Olympic dream, despite having the rug ripped out from under him in a split second.
The 19-year-old swimmer was one of Australia’s rising stars in the pool and was focused on proving his credentials at the nationals being held in Perth in April.
A sprint specialist, he was aiming to stake his claim for Australian selection for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 50m freestyle, butterfly and backstroke. Then an email from Swimming Australia in March shattered his Olympic aspirations.
“I was working as a security guard at the NQ Cowboys opening game and I remember finishing my shift and looking at my phone and I was in disbelief that all my training had gone nowhere,” Hendy said.
Swimming Australia had cancelled the event due to COVID-19.
Soon afterwards his training base with the Gardens Swimming Club at Long Tan Aquatic Centre was also closed and the Olympics were rescheduled for the following year.
“Directly before the coronavirus hit I was five weeks out for the Australian nationals and I was probably set to have my best season ever.”
But Hendy refused to give up and the next day he was scouring online auctions and Townsville sports stores to create his own home training centre. “I have a home gym working on strength and power, I have got a yoga system and the resistance trainer in the backyard pool.”
He trains three hours each day with an hour using his gym and an hour of yoga before jumping in the pool.
Despite not being able to train in a 50m pool, Hendy believes he has been able to maintain his fitness due to his strict training regimen.
“I think one more year of training will put me in a better spot for next year.
“The Olympics is definitely back on the cards and I definitely want to represent Australia come 2021.”
He expects other Olympic swimming hopefuls will take note when he hits the water at the nationals next year.
“I will be looking to make a strong impression as a dark horse at next year’s trials.”
Hendy believes regional athletes had handled the virus shutdown better than their city counterparts.
“We have always had it tough and this was just another obstacle in our way.”
By following his Olympic dreams, Hendy wants to become a torch bearer for other regional athletes.
“I want to be a voice for regional athletes and strive to inspire them,” he said.