Lachlan Hay is ready. Ready for the commencement of his Olympic Games and of what possibilities that can bring.

Hay will contest the men’s 1000 metres short track on Wednesday (Vancouver time) but is here to do a lot more than just make up the numbers.

Even though just getting to the Olympic Games was an ordeal in itself, the Queenslander is adamant that it was just the beginning.

Hay had to race off against his good friend and housemate Jeremy Beck for the spot in the Team – and with that out of the way prior to Christmas, he’s had Vancouver on his mind.

Now he’s here, just getting here won’t be enough.

“I’ve had about a week or so now of life in the Village and training and all of that stuff, now I just want to race and leave nothing out there,” Hay said.

“It’s been an incredible experience so far but I’d hate to look back and say ‘that was it’, I want my Olympic memories to continue,” Hay added.

Simply ‘blown away’ by the Australian Team reception and Opening Ceremony on successive nights, the 23-year-old believes the spirit and camaraderie in the Australian Team is as strong as ever.

“Maybe it’s because we are in such a friendly place like Vancouver but the Team reception and then marching under Australia’s colours just left me with goosebumps – and the rest of the team is the same, it’s just so exciting to be representing Australia.”

The Pacific Colisieum is a magnificent venue that is the envy of the short track community the world over.

With a packed house each day of competition so far, the atmosphere inside the venue has been at fever pitch.

One can’t help but be inspired to perform when they step on the track – and that’s what Lachlan Hay is hoping for.

But Hay is well aware that the job is ahead of him when the event starts. He is not favoured to advance to the next rounds. As per past Olympic competition, the Koreans, Dutch and Americans are expected to dominate.

But Hay thinks that might work to his advantage.

“Sometimes there’s a bit of racing your opponent instead of just trying to win so if they are looking at where each other are that might leave me to just concentrate on getting to the line,” Hay said

And getting to the line is something that this plucky young Australian knows how to do very well.

Damian Kelly
AOC - Vancouver