Donna Fraser: my biggest race

After coaching with Cathy Freeman within the lead-up to an unforgettable race, the British sprinter ran a PB by virtually half a second however simply missed out on a medal

Olympic Video games, Sydney – September 25 2000 – Ladies’s 400m closing , fourth place, 49.79 (PB)

I had an fascinating journey main into 2000 as a result of, after the Commonwealth Video games within the winter of 1998, I received injured in one in every of my first coaching classes. The plan had been for me to maneuver as much as the 400m hurdles however that harm fully scuppered the thought, so I spent most of 1999 attempting to get match once more, get my ankle sturdy, make the workforce for the World Championships and use that as a stepping stone for 2000.

Once you’re out of the game, to get race match is the toughest half so I went by the motions, realizing that I wasn’t at my greatest, however I needed to do it. I wasn’t successful races in 1999 in any respect. It was simply actually heartbreaking, typically getting overwhelmed up by all people I ought to have simply been beating, however I knew the place I used to be at in my thoughts.

I began out the subsequent yr with a distinct mindset. I used to be fitter once more after which I had the chance to coach with Cathy Freeman that summer season. My coach on the time, Ayo Falola, favored to suppose exterior the field and seize any alternative however this was all organized behind the scenes with out me realizing. It was positively a little bit of a whirlwind. I discovered a lot in that point – not solely nearly how she skilled and her work ethic, but additionally about me as a person and what my expertise was.

My British team-mate Katharine Merry and I skilled so much collectively, too. We had such a enjoyable relationship anyway however we by no means spoke about Sydney that complete summer season, we simply received on with our coaching, and I feel that most likely helped her as effectively, as a result of it alleviated among the stress she felt.

As a result of Sydney wasn’t my first Olympics, I knew what to anticipate. I knew methods to handle the joy. I had religion within the Australians delivering the Video games very effectively, they usually actually did not disappoint. We had a holding camp in Brisbane, and that was incredible. Every thing was simply going based on the plan and, seeing Cathy on the Video games themselves, within the name room, we simply have been like some other time. There was at all times that lethal silence within the name room, the place there was a whole lot of rigidity, however we had that degree of respect between us, which was nice.

Nonetheless, I want I’d had Cathy’s potential. I used to be positively in the perfect place I might have been in, as a result of I would been along with her all summer season, however I did not use that to my greatest benefit. I did attempt to run my race and thru the rounds I had lanes seven and eight, the place I could not see anyone anyway, which I cherished. 

The semi-final was horrendous, and it poured down with rain. I couldn’t consider it when the heavens opened. With being battered by the rain and never realizing the place I used to be, being in one of many exterior lanes, to qualify was such a aid.

I ran private bests within the heats, semis and closing, and I feel I didn’t realise how match I used to be. The development in my coaching felt good, however I did not even take that on board. I simply took one spherical at a time after which, once I received to the ultimate, that is when it blew my thoughts. I nonetheless kick myself to this very day as a result of, in a method, I might have cherished to have been in lane seven or eight once more. Having lane two and seeing everybody, which is a dream for a lot of 400m runners, was the alternative for me. My mindset performed havoc with me in that closing and, sadly for me, it didn’t work out.

I felt contemporary and I felt sturdy as I crossed the road. That is the one time I needed a race had lasted 450m. Figuring out that Cathy had gained gave me that sense of satisfaction and happiness however, on the opposite facet, I used to be devastated. The outcomes got here up on the display, and it was me and her trying up at it. I congratulated her, as a result of she had glazed over. For me, although, it was positively a bittersweet second.

I felt that I would not solely let myself down, however my coach Ayo too. He had a lot perception in me and he knew what I used to be able to however, at that second, I did not. It was heart-wrenching. Katharine received the bronze and I used to be pleased for her, however I needed it to be me, and that’s the irritating factor. The factor is, if I’d been pleased, then I would not be a world-class athlete however it was my first time breaking 50 seconds, making the ultimate, coming fourth. It’s important to take the tough with the graceful and I needed to get again on the observe for the relay so I needed to decide myself up in a short time.

I used to be satisfied, with me and Katharine having come prime 4, we have been in with a shout within the 4x400m. It received me up once more after the person. I used to be like: “We will try this. I will get a medal.” So it was a double whammy after we got here sixth. As a workforce, all of us felt that disappointment.

However I am so grateful I used to be a part of that 400m closing. My household at all times jogs my memory: “You have been within the iconic race”. It has gone down in historical past, and I’m so honoured and grateful that I used to be part of it. I’m additionally grateful to Cathy Freeman and her workforce for permitting me to be a part of her journey.

As instructed to Mark Woods