Roaming Towards Myself

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

I’d be lying if I said I watch a particular sport every time the Olympics are on. Usually, it’s more a case of turning something on if there’s an Australian in a final, because that’s when the patriotism kicks in and I suddenly care very deeply about a race I normally wouldn’t watch.

In general, I don’t watch a lot of sport. I absolutely admire the athletes and the skill, dedication and discipline it takes to compete at that level, but sitting and watching hours of sport has never really been my thing.

That said, there are always exceptions.

When Australia hosted the 2000 Olympics, I volunteered in the Press Centre during the Paralympics. As volunteers, we were given tickets to quite a few events, which gave me the chance to see sports I probably never would have chosen to watch otherwise.

Hands down, without a shadow of a doubt, the men’s wheelchair rugby was the roughest sport I’ve ever seen live. They absolutely went for it. No holding back, chairs slamming into each other, full intensity from start to finish. It was incredible to watch and far more fierce than I think many people would expect.

The most inspirational event I saw at the Sydney Paralympics, though, was the swimming. I remember watching athletes with missing limbs, and some who were unable to walk, and feeling anxious for them as they got into the pool. But there was absolutely no need for my concern because every one of them would have beaten me in a race by a mile. Those athletes left a real impression on me.

I’d love to watch those events again at a future Olympic or Paralympic Games, because those memories are still so vivid. What stayed with me most was that mix of awe, admiration and inspiration.