FROM: Petrina Price
High jump
Hi
My name is Petrina Price and I am competing in Athens in the high jump. I am the youngest member on the 2004 Australian track and field team
I first did high jump at a local Little Athletics club, at age 8. I only joined little athletics because swimming failed to help control my asthma and I was then advised by doctors to try Little Athletics. Funny enough, it was successful in making my asthmatic problems easier to control and I was having less frequent attacks.
My main goals at my first Olympics is simply to perform the best I possibility can, and I can walk away knowing I achieved that. Competition wise, I want to make the final and then who knows! (I will think about it and set myself realistic goals once I'm in)
I arrive in the Olympic village on August 15th two days after the opening ceremony. To me it is more important training with my coach and staying with my family (both whom won't be joining me in Athens) and keeping myself less stressed, than having a blast at the opening ceremony. Don't you worry though, I will make up for it at the closing ceremony.
While all you children are still young, it is very important to have fun and enjoy yourself while playing games and participating in sports. It is a really good idea to try many different sports, so you know what sports you like. Remember winning is not everything, and you will have your turn one day. Just hang in there and do the best you can.
When I was your age I tried many different sports like swimming, athletics, tennis and gymnastics and I didn't win a tennis match until I was 12, or an individual athletic event until I was 11, and even then it was in shot put, not high jump! But I kept having fun and over time my skills improved and competing became much easier. I wasn't winning, but could perform the skill correctly.
My motto leading up to the Olympics and throughout the games is:
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't;
If you'd like to win, but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.
Walter D. Wintle
My motto for you is to:
Remember to play fair, be happy, enjoy and have fun.
