Petria Thomas

I have just returned from being a part of the Australian Team at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and I am glad to report that it was a very enjoyable experience.

As a competitor I was lucky enough to represent my country at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria ’94, Kuala Lumpur ’98 and Manchester ’02, but this time around I was part of the Australian Team Headquarters administration staff.

A lot of people have asked me whether I missed the racing during the games and to be honest I think I will always miss the excitement and challenge of competition, but I think this year that I am over the feeling of ‘missing out’ on something.

I really enjoyed my experience on the ‘other’ side of the team and was extremely grateful for the opportunity to be there and to be learning about what keeps the team ticking over. There was a myriad of different issues that needed constant attention and work to make sure team operations were going in the right direction.

Part of my role at the games was also to act as Athlete Liaison Officer. This involved sharing my experiences and knowledge with the athletes on the team. Although this was only a small part of my responsibilities, I was asked on a few occasions to fulfill this liaison role and it was quite satisfying. For the two and a half weeks that I was on the team in Melbourne, the days were long and hard (particularly with only 11 weeks to go in pregnancy!), but it was more than worth it!! I had a great time and forged some good friendships with the great people that I was working with.

One of the bonuses of not competing at the games was that I actually had an opportunity to get out and watch some of the other events and absorb some of the special moments.

It was great to see Libby Lenton, Jess Schipper and Alice Mills (all Fuji Xerox supported athletes) pick up a swag of medals each. A highlight of my games experience was when I was asked to present the medals in the Women’s 100m Butterfly event. After winning the gold medals in three preceding games in that event I felt very proud to be handing over the mantle to Jess Schipper who edged out Libby Lenton to take the gold.

Another highlight for me during the games was hearing of Leisel Jones’ phenomenal World Record in the 100m Breaststroke.

Outside of the pool there were many special moments to remember, too many to mention individually. What I always find special though are the reactions of athletes to their hard fought and hard earned results. I was lucky enough to have a wonderful feeling of achievement at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and to see that same emotion appear on so many occasions for our Aussie athletes at a home Commonwealth Games was pure gold.

Although the Commonwealth Games will never be held in the same prestige as an Olympic Games, the experience and confidence that athletes have the opportunity to develop at the Commonwealths can act as a springboard to bigger and better results at World Championships and Olympic Games. So, hopefully, we will see some of our Aussie Champions use the success and sense of achievement gained at these games to go on and achieve on the world scene. Many an athlete has had their real start in international sport via the Commonwealth Games, including myself!

Post Commonwealth Games for me involves taking a few days off to catch up on some rest and then back to work at the Australian Sports Commission. I am planning on working until early to mid May and then resting for the last month or so before the expected arrival of my first baby in early June.

Before I say goodbye I just want to say thanks again to Fuji Xerox for their continued support. I would like to pass on my best wishes for all staff and their families to enjoy a happy, healthy and safe Easter.

Best Wishes,
Petria Thomas