SNOWBOARD: Belle Brockhoff loves speed, loves life and works hard to be the best. Her personal motto of ‘Have fun. Take risks. Get in after it.’, has helped her become one of the world’s most formidable snowboard cross competitors, and she is only 20 years old. 

At the Olympic Test Event at Extreme Park in Rosa Khutor near Sochi she placed sixth and finished the 2012/13 season ranked ninth in the world. A breakthrough bronze at the Montafon World Cup in Austria gave her the confidence to chase a medal at her first Olympics. 

“I definitely want to podium at the Olympic Games,” Brockhoff said before departing for a training camp in Austria. “I know it’s my first Games and it’s going to be really, really, hard to podium...so I’m giving it 110 per cent.” 

Like her Australian teammates, which include world number one Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, she has been training harder than ever, both in Australia and New Zealand, to prepare physically and technically for the crucial final weeks of competition and the Olympic Games in Sochi in February. 

Fractions of a second make the difference between leading at the first turn and having a clear run down the course of rollers and jumps. It helps you avoid the ‘carnage that can happen in the pack and gives you the best chance at luck.’ She has been perfecting her starts at a specialist training facility at the AIS in Canberra with obvious improvements. 

Having the strength and endurance to race all day, avoid being knocked-out and be in peak performance for the finals is where sand dunes, weights and everything else NSWIS Strength and Conditioning Coach John Marsden has thrown at his elite squad over the Australian winter come to fruition. 

Brockhoff is the only openly gay Australian athlete chasing their Olympic dream in Russia. 

This courageous admission and stance for equality, and against discrimination, is celebrated by most in 2013. It not only allows Brockhoff to be herself, but makes it easier for other athletes to do the same and inspire the wider society. 

Anti-gay propaganda laws introduced in Russia this year have understandably caused outrage around the world. There were initial calls for boycotts and concerns for how openly gay athletes, officials, spectators or media will be treated. 

Brockhoff has not considered boycotting her Olympic dream. 

“No I haven't. The Olympics have always been my dream ever since I was a little girl and picked up my first snowboard. I've been training for 10 years for this. I don't want to not go because of the law,” Brockhoff said. 

“The Olympics are totally about the sport and it's about the athletes. It's about the athletes inspiring the world and junior athletes who are up and coming. It's about inspiration and your love for the sport. It has nothing to do with political laws in a country.” 

Brockhoff will be in Sochi to snowboard faster than her competitors and not as a pro-gay protester. 

“I'm definitely for equality. I think everyone is equal and they deserve to express their love any way they want to. 

“When I go to the Olympics, I'll definitely be focusing on me as an athlete. I won't be getting into any political things such as the gay laws. But afterwards I'll be getting more into it, and supporting equal rights with my sporting achievements.” 

Brockhoff, whose home is the family farm near the Mornington Peninsula in southern Victoria, plans to be an ambassador for gay rights in Australia after the Olympics. 

“I'd love to be an ambassador for equal rights in Australia. I've been working with an organisation called Athlete Ally. They are for equality and they want to help end transphobia and homophobia in sport. So I'm really happy and thankful to be a part of this organisation.” 

In late October Russian President Vladamir Putin said, “We will do everything to make sure that athletes, fans and guests feel comfortable at the Olympic Games regardless of their ethnicity, race or sexual orientation.” 

IOC President Thomas Bach and Australian Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman believe the assurances they have been given by the Russian authorities will mean the Games are not impacted by the Russian laws. 

Similarly, Brockhoff is not anticipating problems for athletes in Sochi. 

“I don't think so. If they don't go around parading with rainbow flags or get a whole group together to protest the laws, I think they'll be fine.” 

Distance swimming sensation Daniel Kowalski, who won four medals from the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Games, came out publicly in 2010 after years of battling with his own sexuality. He has great admiration for Brockhoff and her ability to compete as herself. 

“What an amazing feeling and I respect her immensely for it,” Kowalski said. “For every individual going through the coming out process it is extremely tough, doing it publicly on a national level makes it even tougher and admirable. To be blunt and honest I am jealous of Belle yet extremely proud and wish her nothing but the best for Sochi and beyond.” 

Kowalski, who is now the General Manager for the Australian Swimmers Association, knows the importance of having young ambassadors for equality. 

“Words definitely wouldn’t do Belle’s actions justice. The words’ brave, inspiring and role model’ are often easily thrown around, in the case of Belle they are without a doubt spot on! She is the perfect example of letting her actions speak for themselves, regardless of race, religion or sexuality.” 

If Kowalski was still an athlete would the laws in Russia affect his decision to go? 

“In this instance I would definitely not hesitate to go. To know I would have the full support of the AOC, IOC, UN and other nations would give me enough comfort to know all would be a-ok!” 

Brockhoff’s team of fans will be strengthened by the inspired gay community yet it is her family, fellow skiers and boarders who have watched her develop into a world class athlete that will be brimming with pride. 

Brockhoff began her time on the snow as a skier at Mt Buller in Victoria. As a competitor she had success in many disciplines from an early age. At the age of 10 she tried snowboarding and within a few weeks she won her first interschools national title. 

Brockhoff trained and competed in a number of snowboard disciplines, competing on the World Cup circuit in parallel giant slalom, before settling on boardercross. 

“I was 18 or 19 when I got really serious about boardercross and I love it,” Brockhoff who turns 21 n January explained. She credits her fast rise to her, “passion and drive for the sport. I really want to do well.” 

Brockhoff has a rich history of winter sports in her family. Her uncle, Peter Brockhoff competed in alpine skiing at the 1960 and 1964 Winter Olympics; her grandfather Harold Brockhoff was one of the original pioneers of Mt Buller and her great aunt, Joyce Brockhoff has a run named in her honour at Mt Hotham in recognition of her work promoting the place of women in snow sports.