Now an HPSNZ Performance Team Leader working with Athletics, Canoe Racing and Snow Sports, Adrian shares his reflections, highlights and occasional challenges from his time as a New Zealand Olympian.
HPSNZ
Tell us about your Olympic experiences.
Adrian
Leading into Beijing, I had broken the New Zealand 5000m record and was physically well prepared. However, I underestimated the gravity of the Olympic Games, not the race, my competitors or the crowd – they were all familiar, but the reality was that this was something I’d trained for and dreamed of throughout my running career and that created a different kind of pressure and nerves.
I ran well in Beijing and had a positive experience. I enjoyed spending time with my family and friends who travelled to support me. It was a big deal for them too, which was cool and the camaraderie of the NZ team was also memorable.
Unfortunately, my other Olympic experiences weren’t as positive. I missed qualifying for Athens in 2004 by 0.2 sec, and I had to withdraw from London in 2012 just two days before the opening ceremony due to injury. But that is part of being an athlete, you ride the highs and lows. When I look back at it all I realise how fortunate I was to have all of those experiences.
HPSNZ
Of all the experiences, what was the most memorable one?
Adrian
Going into the stadium in Beijing, and racing, is my most memorable experience. The Olympics is about competition. I was there to run 12 ½ laps against the best athletes in the world when it mattered most. That is what is most memorable to me.
HPSNZ
How does your experience as an Olympic athlete contribute and help you in your current role with HPSNZ?
Adrian
My Olympic experience itself doesn’t necessarily help me in my role, all of us at HPSNZ understand that the Olympics is the pinnacle of many athletes’ careers. However, what has been hugely beneficial to my role at HPSNZ is what I learnt in the pursuit of becoming an Olympian. Waking up every day trying to be a better athlete, figuring out what mattered, who could help me get better, and making tough decisions along the way.
HPSNZ
If you were to give a current Olympic athlete one piece of advice for their Paris 2024 campaign, what would it be?
Adrian
Every athlete’s approach is different so it is difficult to give specific advice, but I’d encourage athletes to have someone they trust who can help them navigate the pressure of, and thrive in, the Olympic environment.
