Yesterday, Thursday 9 March, we were treated to a visit by two Australian Olympians. Josie Tomic, Cycling, represented Australia at several World Championships and the 2012 London Olympics coming agonisingly close to a Bronze medal - missing out by 0.01sec. Sophie White, Athletics, has represented Australia at the 2018 Youth Olympics and is on track to hopefully make the team for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 110m hurdles.
Josie Tomic - Cycling
Josie noticed the school expectations, notably Be Resilient and Be Your Best and highlighted the connection with her journey as an athlete and the importance of being able to bounce back from setbacks. Growing up, she was always into sport and dreamt of going to the Olympics. She got into cycling because of the equipment, the science and the danger. Josie set herself goals and asked three questions:
- Is it achievable? Remove self-doubt and surrounded yourself by positive people and those who can support
- Could someone like me make it?
- How do I do it? Set the goal... Seek help...
Setbacks happen, but to overcome them and bounce back, you need to approach them with a positive mindset, surround yourself with positive people, trust your circle (family, friends and supporters), and trust the process.
She recalled her Olympic experience as being exciting, but with a sense of doubt and of being a 'fish out of water' again highlighting the need for having strategies to deal with nerves and pressure.
One key take away Josie had four our students was:
Everyday work towards being your best self
Sophie White - Athletics
Sophies journey started with her passion for horses as a young child. This all changed with a fall and serious injury where her parents decided to explore other sports. Sophie moved into gymnastics which is where her coach saw the speed and power and suggested if she were to stop doing gymnastics that maybe she should try athletics. Little athletics provided her with the opportunity to learn the disciplines of athletics, build friendships, participate and compete which ultimately lead to her progressing through the ranks as a junior to compete at the National Championships, World Championships and on to the 2018 Youth Olympics where she won a Silver medal in the hurdles. Sophie shared a life-lesson she learned as part of her journey - 'Control, the controllables' - do everything you can to do your best. Sophie suffered a major setback at the World Championships where she broke bones in both feet, an injury that lingered for three and a half years. This major setback was seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, and through this, the importance of celebrating small wins along the way to a bigger goal was reinforced for her.
One key take away Sophie had for our students was:
Whatever setback you face, find the positives to turn it into a learning moment to continue to improve
Both athletes shared some of their mementos and medals from their careers and answered a range of questions from eager students, but more importantly the messages of resilience and striving to be your best.
Thank you to the Australian Olympic Committe and the Government of Western Australia Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for providing this opportunity for our students.
