Joined by NZOC Medical Lead (and HPSNZ Director of Performance Health) Dr Bruce Hamilton and NZOC psychologist Kylie Wilson to get a first-hand view of progress in the City of Lights, Fiona says the Games will be the first Olympics and Paralympics in the post-COVID era and it is exciting to see how a European country will deliver this global event using its iconic landmarks, monuments, rivers and bridges.
“It will be extra special to see the world’s best athletes compete against the backdrop of some of the world’s most iconic places.”
Apart from the glorious city that is Paris, Fiona says a key focus was to understand from an Athlete Performance Support perspective the logistics of travel and accommodation and, more importantly, how to preserve the continuity of training, familiarity of routines and ensuring optimal physical and mental preparation and recovery when it matters most.
A strong theme running through what is the foundation for the NZOC, PNZ and HPSNZ partnership is that of Games-time readiness, says Fiona. “We have to build on the work that has been done to date and ensure all members of the team behind the team are connecting on the athlete journey to Paris.
“Olympics are undoubtedly the pinnacle of an athlete’s career and for many of our athletes it will be the first in their career. It is quite simply the moment in time for an athlete so the more we can understand about the environment that will be Paris 2024, the better we can prepare and support athletes to achieve on the world stage when the time comes.”
