We arrived in Rio on September 3rd after a very enjoyable 10-hour flight in our first class seats! Boarding the plane made the experience finally come real and I was so excited to get there and start competing. I was asked a lot before going about all the negative things that were being said in the media about the games and Rio, such as the safety, zika virus, water pollution etc etc, and if I was nervous about going. I can honestly say I wasn't nervous about any of that, I knew that it was going to be an amazing experience, and I wasn't wrong! Rio did an incredible job and it is such a shame it got all of that negative media attention. Rio is beautiful and the people were all so friendly and helpful.
The first day we got there my mom, who was our Chef de Mission again, went to our final DRM meeting. This meeting is where everything is confirmed, such as what accommodation we will be needing, our sport entries, etc, and then we were finally allowed to enter the athletes village. The village was absolutely beautiful. It was definitely set up differently to London's. This village was more in a circle with pathways, Rio and Paralympic statues, tennis courts, and water fountains in the center of all the buildings with each court having their own pool. Our accommodations were great as we all ended up having our own bedrooms. The transport mall, dining tent, NPC services, Chef de mission office, polyclinic, gym, and casual dining area were on the outskirts of one side of the village. The other side contained the welcome center, which had lounge chairs, souvenir store, post office, bank, hair salon, Samsung mobile store, general store and as usual McDonalds, which sponsors the games. We estimate that the McDonald's sponsorship is huge as there was lineups everyday all day for people to get the free food!
View of the athletes village from our balcony
The first day there we spent checking out the village and getting settled in. The next day we headed to the training track to get a practice session in. The practice track was at a university air force base. Our timing worked out perfectly as when we got there people were leaving the track and when we were done people were arriving so I had the whole track to myself!!
On the 5th of September we saw that there was a tour of the stadium happening for coaches so they could get an idea of the call room procedures and to see the lay of the land. The athletes tour would then be the next day...or so we thought! We arrived there and realized they were both scheduled for the 6th but we ended up doing our own little tour and went into the stadium to see it. It was pretty exciting to finally see it in person. We went back to the actual tour as well on the 6th as after it we were able to train on the competition track and practice some starts under the gun. It was exciting to be pushing on the track where I would be racing in the next few days. My nerves definitely kicked in then as it was a dream coming true.
Photo courtesy of Earl Basden at islandstats.com
Bermuda was officially welcomed to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with an official welcome ceremony, where our flag was raised and our national anthem was played. There was also a little show put on by Brazil and the mayor of the village spoke and exchanged gifts with each country. It's always an emotional and prideful moment watching the Bermuda flag being raised!
September 7th then came around, which was the day of the opening ceremony. Ken and I headed to the track in the morning to get my pre-race workout done (as my first race was the next day) and then headed back to be ready for our 2:30pm pick up to head to the stadium for the ceremony. Since I raced the next day Ken, Mom and I left the stadium after we had walked through in the parade of athletes so that it wouldn't be too late of a night. The rest of the team stayed for the whole ceremony.
September 7th then came around, which was the day of the opening ceremony. Ken and I headed to the track in the morning to get my pre-race workout done (as my first race was the next day) and then headed back to be ready for our 2:30pm pick up to head to the stadium for the ceremony. Since I raced the next day Ken, Mom and I left the stadium after we had walked through in the parade of athletes so that it wouldn't be too late of a night. The rest of the team stayed for the whole ceremony.
I had the honor of being the flag bearer again. I get goosebumps when I am given the flag. It's definitely a moment I will never forget and it was just as prideful and emotional as it was when I carried it in London. We arrived back in our apartment at the village in time to watch the Paralympic flame being lit on our TV.
The next day we headed to the stadium bright and early as I had my 100m semi final in the morning and the final was at night. I qualified for the final with the 7th fastest time overall. I didn't have a good start in the race so wasn't too happy with how the race went, but I refocused and was so ready for the final. There was about a 4-5 hour gap in between the races so we ended up staying at the track to avoid any risk of not making it back to the track in time. Racing in the final was an amazing race to be a part of. I placed 6th but held 2nd for the majority of the race and was caught close to the line. I am quick off the start but don't have enough power yet to keep up at the end where others are stronger. It certainly helps me to know what I need to focus on in training now. I was, an am, extremely proud of coming 6th against the best T53 racers in the world!
My next race was the 400m, which took place on Ken's birthday! Going into that race Ken and I set a goal of going for a PB and to try and break the 1 minute mark. I managed to get 50% of that goal by getting a PB of 1:00.25! Inching closer to breaking that minute!! I finished with the 11th fastest time out of 13 so didn't advance to the final. However, I saw that race as a huge success, not just because of the PB but because I was right up there with the rest of the field, whereas in London I was left in the dust. It definitely gives me more confidence and motivation to continue getting stronger and working on the longer distances.
I then had a week break until my 800m race, which was my last event at the games. During that time I was able to go and watch my teammates Austin and Curtis compete in their races. I was also able to go and watch Yushae compete in Boccia. It was exciting to get to cheer for Bermuda! Yushae did an amazing job in her Paralympic Debut. She showed so much determination, focus, and class as she played the games. I was very proud to be there to watch her compete on the highest level of sport.
On the 15th Ken, Mom, Dad, Ken's wife Karen, her friend Helen and I went on a day tour around Rio. We had an amazing day! Our tour guide Ederson and driver Wilson were incredible! We started the tour by going up to see Christ the Redeemer. He is 38 meters tall and his arm width is 28 meters. It took them 5 years to build the statue and the church maintains it. The drive up was very steep then we had an elevator ride and 2 escalators to get to the top. The view over Rio is amazing. We then drove around the city and went down the Selaron Tile Steps, made by one man who only stopped designing and laying them because he passed away. After visiting the incredible Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian with the amazing stained glass panels, we had lunch at Confeitaria Colombo, the most famous pastry and coffee shop in Rio. After that we went to see the Olympic Boulevard area where there was a big screen TV, which streamed the games. Near the Boulevard was the area that the Paralympic Torch was located, so of course we had to go and see that!
On the 15th Ken, Mom, Dad, Ken's wife Karen, her friend Helen and I went on a day tour around Rio. We had an amazing day! Our tour guide Ederson and driver Wilson were incredible! We started the tour by going up to see Christ the Redeemer. He is 38 meters tall and his arm width is 28 meters. It took them 5 years to build the statue and the church maintains it. The drive up was very steep then we had an elevator ride and 2 escalators to get to the top. The view over Rio is amazing. We then drove around the city and went down the Selaron Tile Steps, made by one man who only stopped designing and laying them because he passed away. After visiting the incredible Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian with the amazing stained glass panels, we had lunch at Confeitaria Colombo, the most famous pastry and coffee shop in Rio. After that we went to see the Olympic Boulevard area where there was a big screen TV, which streamed the games. Near the Boulevard was the area that the Paralympic Torch was located, so of course we had to go and see that!
As we were leaving the Olympic Boulevard area our tour guide Ederson asked if I wanted to take a photo with some Brazilian high school students who were there. It turned into being one of the most amazing moments of the games for us. The group started out small and as more kids realized what was happening the group grew! It was an incredible experience! I have goosebumps even just writing about it!
After the tour day it was back into competition mode as my 800m race was 2 days away. I was nervous and excited about doing the 800m. I knew that it would be a long shot to get into the final, so Ken and I made a realistic goal for me to shoot for in the race. My personal best time in the 800m going into this race was 2:03.40 so we made a goal to try and get into the draft pack and go for a PB in this race as well and try and break the 2-minute mark. Similar goals to the 400m race.
After the tour day it was back into competition mode as my 800m race was 2 days away. I was nervous and excited about doing the 800m. I knew that it would be a long shot to get into the final, so Ken and I made a realistic goal for me to shoot for in the race. My personal best time in the 800m going into this race was 2:03.40 so we made a goal to try and get into the draft pack and go for a PB in this race as well and try and break the 2-minute mark. Similar goals to the 400m race.
I managed to get on the end of the pack for a little bit of the race until I was dropped. I started to run out of gas at the 600m mark but I was determined to go for a PB. I crossed the line and looked up at the score board and saw my time was 1:58.24!! I had to double check that it was my name next to that time! :) I was so excited that I had done it! A 5 second PB to finish off my Rio 2016 experience. I was also excited because, as that was my last race, Ken was taking me to McDonalds to get a hamburger and fries, which I had been craving for most of the trip! :)
Even though I didn't make the final that night we headed back to the stadium to watch Curtis compete with 3 other Canadian athletes on the 4x400m relay team in the final. The first run of the relay didn't go as planned as there was a mix up by the officials of lanes and tags between the athletes causing Canada to have to stop pushing as to not interfere with the other athletes. They ended up coming 4th but protested the race because of the mix up. After officials reviewed the footage of the race they agreed to let the race run again. This time Canada was fueled even more from the emotions of the first race. It was amazing to watch the team compete. They all work so well together and to see Curtis push, after being off for 2 years, and be up there passing other athletes was awesome. The team pushed extremely well and came home with a bronze medal! It was incredible to witness!
Ken, Mom, Dad, Karen, Helen, and I left Rio the next day before the closing ceremony as they needed to get back to work and I back to school to start my final year at Brock University! I may have gone a little mascot crazy at the airport to bring back so many great memories of an incredible experience!
I can now call myself a 2x Paralympian, which is a truly humbling and exciting thing! We now all have some time off and will be getting back into training at the beginning of October to get ready for a half marathon we are doing at the end of October. Training will be geared towards developing more strength and power to get ready for the London 2017 World Championships in July next year!
So, here is to the next 4-year plan and journey to get to Tokyo 2020!!
I can now call myself a 2x Paralympian, which is a truly humbling and exciting thing! We now all have some time off and will be getting back into training at the beginning of October to get ready for a half marathon we are doing at the end of October. Training will be geared towards developing more strength and power to get ready for the London 2017 World Championships in July next year!
So, here is to the next 4-year plan and journey to get to Tokyo 2020!!
P.S. If you are ever in Rio and get tired of walking or wheeling around in the Metropolitan Mall just jump on a mechanical kangaroo!!
Jessica
-Desire, Dream, Vision-
Jessica
-Desire, Dream, Vision-
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