Olympic Preparation – The Final Stretch

- By Sarah Harris

When I think about my final college and Olympic year's preparation they leave me with contrasting emotions. The two years, whilst have similarities, their outcomes were stark opposites. My Senior year at college was exciting, fun, and successful, but my final year of Olympic preparation was hard, full of tough decisions and riddled with disappointment. Both years have moulded me into the individual that I am today and both years have valuable life lessons strewn throughout them.

Senior year in college was an amazing year and was by far my favourite. My teammates became more than just friends, they felt like family. We had spent three fantastic years together, and with the finish line in sight, I felt excited to see what lay ahead. There were a lot of “lasts”; The last home game, last practice, last meal in the dining hall, last day of class, etc... Soaking up the nostalgia was an important experience for me because I would not have this opportunity again and I made sure to attend the Athlete Dinners and the Graduation Ceremony.

Last year of Olympic preparation came with loads of disappointment for me. The fairy tale ending did not occur and my life-long dream was not met. I did not end up going to the Olympics and although the disappointment of that year felt overwhelming at times, I learnt more through that disappointment than I ever could have imagined. A lot of people, when faced with disappointment, react in two ways; 1) They blame other people, their circumstances and make excuses or 2) they learn from the experience and look at the journey rather than the outcome. While I may not have achieved my overall goal, the journey was worth it. The lessons learnt were invaluable, and I will never say “what if”. This hard lesson was not a failure, merely a bend in the road and it helped me achieve many great things since. 

Lesson I learnt:
1.  To be Grateful
As a college athlete you are doing something that most people dream of doing. Do not waste a day and be grateful for all these experiences. 

2.  Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy
Nothing worth having comes easy, If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Work hard, go the extra mile and do not give up.

3.  Live in the Moment
Regardless of the outcome, make sure that you soak up each moment. Make friends and cherish the memories you make.

Attending College and playing International Water Polo moulded my life in ways that I will cherish forever. Through the highs and lows, I made the most of my opportunities. Make sure that you live your journey to its fullest. When given opportunities, grab them with two hands and be grateful to have the privilege of being able pursue your dreams.