TASMANIA’S Olympic contingent is feeling a mixture of excitement and anticipation ahead of competition in Rio de Janeiro.
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Nine Tasmanian Institute of Sport-supported athletes are due to compete, with cyclists Richie Porte, Scott Bowden and Georgia Baker, javelin-thrower Hamish Peacock and rower Meaghan Volker making their Olympic debuts.
Cyclist Amy Cure and hockey player Tim Deavin become dual Olympians, fellow Kookaburra Eddie Ockenden is at his third Games while Kerry Hore becomes the first female Australian rower to compete at four.
‘‘I still get nervous, but I am better able to deal with that,” said the Huon 35-year-old who is seeking to make her fourth Olympic quad scull final.
As the senior statesman in a crew featuring Olympic debutants Madeleine Edmunds (24, Queensland), Jennifer Cleary (23, Victoria) and Jessica Hall (23, Queensland), Hore hopes to help them deal with the occasion.
‘‘I’m trying to use experience to get them over the line and having been there before and knowing what pressure is like I think I can get a good balance.
‘‘When you’re sitting on a start line, it’s still the same boat, the same oars and the same people, it’s just that it’s part of this big thing called the Olympics Games.
“We’re as well prepared as we possibly could be. With this being my fourth Games, I think one of the things I’ve learnt to do is to focus on what is important and enjoy the experience. I feel this time around I can harness my excitement to get the most out of myself and my crew mates.”
Tasmania’s record contingent of Olympic cyclists say they can’t wait for the Games to begin.
"I'm really excited about Rio,” Baker said. “I’ve never been here before but a couple of family members have and they said it’s great. I’m looking forward to the whole experience of being here, being in the village and all the hype that surrounds it.”
Fellow 21-year-old Scott Bowden agreed.
“I'm excited to go to Rio as I've never been to South America,” said the mountain biker. “It seems like a really cool setting for the world's biggest sporting event.”
Porte, 31, who will contest the road race and time trial, added: “I remember growing up and watching the Olympics on TV so it is exciting to be part of it.”
Launceston-born Milly Clark (marathon) and Chris Goulding (basketball) are also competing in Rio.