3 minute read

Surfing star Sally Fitzgibbons says the decision to delay this year's Olympics has given her a sample of the sacrifice many athletes make to get to a Games.

Having her Olympic debut put on hold has given surfing star Sally Fitzgibbons an appreciation of the sacrifice many athletes make to get to the Games.

Fitzgibbons along with Stephanie Gilmore, Owen Wright and Julian Wilson all earned selection to represent Australia at the inaugural Olympic surfing tournament in Tokyo this year.

But the quartet will have to wait at least 12 months to chase gold with the Games postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Fitzgibbons says the decision and a break from the World Surf League has made her more appreciative of those who have to commit themselves wholly to an Olympic cycle every four years.

"They announced us relatively close to the Games that we were accepted and we're qualified and it almost felt a bit whirlwindish," the 29-year-old told AAP.

"With the anticipation and then a full qualifying year and now this COVID year it gives you a real insight into what the Olympic sports have to go through with their four-year preparations.

"It is quite long ... you want to push yourself, but there is nothing better to do that then either the event right on the horizon or really, really tough competition.

"Without those things surrounding you've just got to kind of travel through the lulls.

"I've really gained a lot of respect for a full Olympic preparation and maybe that's what surfing needed for its first go to really saturate yourself with it and surround yourself with other Olympians."

While this week will mark one year until the rescheduled Games are set to start on July 23, 2021, Fitzgibbons was realistic that even that plan remained up in the air due to the COVID-19 situation.

"Everyone was a little deflated when you have to wait for something that's so exciting," she said.

"That's like saying 'hey, your birthday party's next week' and as a 10-year-old you're just so pumped and then it's, 'oh wait, we're just going to hold off, you'll still have a birthday next year but just hang on'.

"It's all about managing those expectations on that, even that it can run next year. We just don't know at this stage."