Tamsyn Lewis

Hi again,

So training is back into the swing of things. Justin (the coach) is not taking it easy on me. Was hard mentally to get back into it for awhile as was still struggling with the whole let down of the Olympics. Thats when I really appreciate the group I have around me. My training group and coach have been amazingly positive and they make training so much fun that I am really starting to feel ready for the Aussie domestic season ahead. My first race will be the Zatopek at Olympic Park in Melbourne, over the 400m on Decemeber 11.
Last weekend and this weekend I went to the all schools athletics carnival and interclub to present medals and mix with the kids. There is some great talent out there for the future and some lovely personalities. I love seeing the future of the sport and I think with the talent I saw coming thru athletics is in good hands…
I also started breakfast radio last week on vega (91.5) filling in for Chrissie who is due to give birth anyday now. I am on with Dicko, Dave and Joe till Friday 21st and then I continue on till Christmas on the summer show…Having an absolute blast; the guys are sensational.
Thanks again for your support

Tamsyn xx

Well the Olympic Games have come and gone for another four years. So much time and effort goes into preparing for a Games and then it’s over so quickly! I made a promise to myself after Athens that I would leave no stone unturned in pursuit of success in Beijing and I know I achieved that. Unfortunately meticulous planning, hard work and desire is not always enough. Sometimes other athletes are just simply better.

My 800m heat was on paper extremely tough. Then again at Olympics they all are. I knew my opposition well, having raced against them regularly on the European circuit prior to the games. I was clearly on form fourth fastest in my heat and as only first three qualified automatically I knew what I had to do. Justin, my coach, told me to hit 57-58 at the bell and run strongly thru the line. We were very happy with the application and the result. My time of 1 minute 59 point 67 was just shy of my personal best and I was thru to the semi finals the following night.

The 400m heat is the race that I look back on and am still bitterly disappointed with. I made a few errors in this race and this is what I will be aiming to rectify in the upcoming domestic season. Contrary to what uninformed people have stated I am glad I ran the 400m heat as I believed I was capable of getting close to making that final after a very good time trial in Darwin 2 weeks earlier.

The 800m semi final was later that night. I felt better rhythmically but when the question was asked of me down the back straight with 300m to go I just couldn’t respond.

Since the semi I have been overwhelmed by the support of friends, the Australian public and my fellow athletes. For the remainder of the games I enjoyed sight seeing with my parents and supporting my fellow team members as they competed. One of my definite high-lights was watching Steve Hooker clear the bar to take gold. Not only for his magnificent effort but for the way that the Aussie athletics team had gathered together in the crowd to support him. The team had done that not only for our Gold medallist but for all fellow team members efforts.

Finally I just want to make a quick personal thank-you to my amazing training group. Especially Marty, Al, Jayso and Pete for doing the hard yards with me rain, hail or Darwin sunshine! Garry Miritis, my masseur; to you and your magic hands a huge thank-you! To my family and Graham who are unconditional with their support and proud of me no matter what the result, a huge thank-you. And last but not least my coach and big brother Justin. I would never have made my third Olympics without you. Its been the best year of my career with a 400m PB and a World Indoor Title over 800m and I only got there because of you guys…..

Thank-you xx