‘Attack hurts us all’
Tom Walsh’s heart is nearly as heavy as that silver sphere he throws for a living.
The Kiwi shot put world champion says he can’t shake the feeling of ‘‘shame’’ that New Zealand’s reputation as a safe haven has been perhaps forever tarnished by the shooting massacre in his home town of Christchurch last Friday.
But this 27-year-old supreme Halberg award winner also believes the time is right to get back out and start putting a smile on people’s faces. And there’s only one way he knows to do that.
So, Walsh will line up, along with the vast majority of New Zealand’s leading track and field exponents, at the Sir Graeme Douglas International Track Challenge in Waitakere tonight.
And he will do his level best to make it three victories from three for the domestic season, after shaking off illness to secure the Big Shot title in Christchurch just a couple of days before annexing his 10th national title, also in the Garden City, with a highly respectable early-season heave of 21.70 metres.
Walsh told Stuff he felt it was not ‘‘too soon’’ to be doing something as frivolous as sport in the wake of the massacre that killed 50 Muslims at prayer at two mosques in Christchurch. Especially not outside of the city in mourning.
‘‘For the people who have lost loved ones, it’s completely different – but for the general public who are still obviously hugely ashamed that this happened in Christchurch, the sooner they can get back to day-to-day stuff, the better for their wellbeing, in my view at least,’’ Walsh said yesterday.
‘‘We’re trying to bring a little bit of joy to the New Zealand public who watch live or on livestream, and if we can provide some of enjoyment in such a hard time for New Zealand, it’s the least we can do. And individually, if you don’t feel up to it, fair enough. It’s probably best you take a little bit more time to deal with it.’’
Walsh said he still struggled to rationalise the events of last Friday, and probably always would.
‘‘It’s happened in the city I live in and to people that we see day to day. I don’t think I will get over that very quickly, if at all. It just feels it’s an appropriate time to compete again.’’
Asked to describe the effect the unprecedented shooting had on him as someone who represented New Zealand on the international stage, Walsh admitted the impact had been profound.
‘‘I guess I was ashamed that it’s happened in Christchurch. I feel like New Zealand as a whole is a very safe place for whoever you are. It’s something I’ve prided myself on around the world.
‘‘Generally, no matter where you are in the world, if you’re a Kiwi you get welcomed with open arms. I hate that one person’s actions have possibly influenced some people’s thoughts against New Zealand.’
‘‘I know that’s not us. I’m proud of being a New Zealander and I’m proud of what comes with it. What happened the other day is something that’s very shameful.’’