TEAM: Nanjing will be swimming in a sea of green and gold when the 2014 Australian Youth Olympic Team (AYOT) arrives for the second summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) this week.
Not only will Australia be sporting one of the largest athlete groups at the Games, but also one of the largest support groups with 52 officials and a whopping 71 family and friends taking the trip to China.
Among the proud family and friends who will be flying the Aussie flag high will be Robert Wilkie, father of the 2014 AYOT’s youngest member Tara.
“I am looking forward to seeing Tara compete in China and indeed representing Australia,” Mr Wilkie said.
“To watch Tara compete against the world’s best up-and-coming Junior Rhythmic Gymnastics gymnasts, will be an experience.”
Having never missed one of his daughter’s competitions and meets, Mr Wilkie says watching her compete at the next level in an Olympic arena will be an overwhelming experience.
“The whole family is incredibly proud of Tara’s achievements to date, and the selection for the Youth Olympics is certainly a milestone in her career – We’re all wishing Tara the best of success and above all, to enjoy the experience,” the Sydney-sider said.
“Words cannot describe how proud I am of Tara, not only as an amazing athlete, but as the beautiful person she’s developing into.”
While our rising athletes will be cheered on by a massive group of fans in China, we cannot forget about the even bigger support base of family and friends staying back in Australia.
David Sutton, father and coach of Australian Youth Archer Jessica, says the YOG will be his daughter’s first trip away without him.
“It will be a great trip for her I am sure,” Mr Sutton said.
“I will be sitting at home awaiting scores - her sister (Emily) is going to Croatia for the World Field Archery Championships the same weeks so we will have day and night scores to follow.”
As Jessica’s coach, Mr Sutton says he has high hopes for his daughter.
“I hope she has a great time and I am sure she will shoot some good arrows as well,” the proud father said.
“YOG is a great stepping stone and hopefully she can also learn from the event – It will be her first multi sport event so it will be good for her to meet some non-archers.”
Like Jessica, the YOG will be the first time many of the AYOT will travel away from their family and friends, which can be daunting for all involved.
Mr Sutton says it is reassuring to know there is a lot of support and encouragement for the athletes.
“It is important to know that the support is there, as a parent back home it is great to know that all bases are covered,” he said.
Family and friends of the athletes are invited to the official team farewell at the Menzies Hotel, 5pm, Tuesday the 12th of August.
You can keep up to date with the latest news and results from the YOG via the Nanjing team website and the AOC’s social media platforms.
Daily highlights will air at midday during the week on 7mate (Channel 73) throughout the duration of the Games.
You can also view live and video on demand coverage of select sports via the IOC’s digital platforms olympic.org and youtube.com/olympic as well as a new channel olympic.tv, available from the 14th August.
Laura Judd
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam