FROM: Natalie Saville
Walk
Hi everyone, my name is Natalie Saville
I am competing in the 20km Walk in Athens. My event will be held on Monday 23rd August at 8am, Greece time, which will be 4pm Sydney time, possibly about the time you get home from school. I became involved in Race Walking through my local Little Athletics Club. I competed in all events but by the age of 11 I was better in the distance event such as running and walking. My older sister, Jane, also is a Race walker and will be competing in the same event at the Olympics. Jane is four years older than me and when I was younger, every sport she did I wanted to do too. We both did many sports when we were younger including swimming, netball and surf lifesaving. At the age of 18 I was still competing in swimming and surf lifesaving but decided my best sport was Race Walking and I knew that one day I might have a chance of representing my country at the Olympic Games.
I am very grateful to my parents for allowing Jane and I to compete in many sports while growing up. I met many friends through sport that I still have today, I was always active and enjoyed the friendships I made and places I was able to see. I have many memories of fun times from sport when I was in primary school and high school. Sport has given me many opportunities in my life and the biggest is definitely traveling and meeting great people.
My goals for the Athens Olympics will be to do a Personal best time and finish in the top 20. If I can do my best on the day I will be more than happy, My personal best is 1hour 31 minutes and 34 seconds which I did in the 2004 World Cup in Germany. Unfortunately I wont be attending the opening ceremony as my event is not until the second week of the games and as Athens will be hot I didn't want to hang around Athens for too long before my event as the heat and excitement can drain energy before my event. I will be attending the closing ceremony and am looking forward to cheering other Australian Athletes once my event is over.
Enjoy this fantastic opportunity and I will be in touch during the games.
Regards
Natalie Saville
