TOKYO AND LIFE AFTER

Q

Is it true that you shared an experience with a group of juniors at the 2000 Sydney Games?

A

I was in a team of eight junior athletes who carried the Olympic flag around the stadium at Sydney. We lowered the flag from the pole and the eight of us carried it around the stadium with the athletes already in the centre.

Q

Was that the perfect way for a budding youngster to learn what the Games mean to so many people?

A

I had a quick introduction to what the Olympics meant. As a 17-yearold walking around the closing ceremony with billions of people watching is a memory you never forget. And I guess that drove me to say ‘hey I want to represent my country and I want to go to the Olympics’. I grew up watching the gold medallists for the 470s in Sydney.

Q

You’re 35, you’ve been there done that. Do you think you’ll go on after Tokyo in 2020 or will time tell on that?

A

I think Tokyo will be my last but I’m still very much motivated for that after Rio (when he ran second).

Q

So if Tokyo is your swansong do you have any plans for life and sport after that?

A

I have one more unit of double masters at Bond University. I’m doing a masters in project management and another in urban and sustainable development.