Rio Review | LTA Mixed Coxed Four Make History in Rio

Competing in her first Paralympic Games, Davinia Lefroy made history in qualifying Australia’s first LTA Mixed Coxed Four crew for the Games.

After several weeks of travel, training and long hours at work Lefroy had high expectations for her crew heading into Rio, these of which were not quite met.

Whilst this can often be difficult to accept Davinia explains how she worked to see the positives in the whole situation.

In our final Rio Review, Davinia Lefroy shares her stories from Rio with InsideWAIS. 

How did you feel when you first found out about your selection for Rio?

Nervous, excited and honoured!

What did the lead up to the Games entail for you?

A lot of travel between Perth, Canberra, Italy and Rio. Nine interstate or international trips in nine months. Time off work and very long hours at work when home in Perth to make up for the time a way. A lot of training; on the water, in the gym, on the bike at home and at the racing courses. Forming many new relationships and bonds and managing competing and sometimes incompatible responsibilities and priorities.

What were your first thoughts when you reached the athlete village?

“This place is massive and I will never find my way around.” 

“I’m lost.”

 

“There are so many people.”

 

“This place is like an endless Big Day Out without the tunes.” 

What was the best thing about the athlete village?

The opportunity to mix with people from different countries.

Did you share a room?

I had to share a room with my teammate Kate. It reminded me of boarding school… I would have preferred my own room so that I had some space and time with my own thoughts but also so I could relax and let my guard down. it also would’ve made it easier to sleep. But sharing is still fun in some ways. 

How did you feel in the lead up to your races?

I felt confident and excited in the lead up. I thought we would do well and was looking forward to the opportunity to show this to others, particularly my parents who had come to watch. 

How did you feel once you’d finished all of your races?

I was pretty disappointed with our performance unfortunately as it was below my expectations. It took some time to come to terms with this and realize that I needed to take something else from the experience other than the competition itself. It is a difficult environment to process emotions in an honest way as there are a lot of people giving advice, with their own expectations and rationalisations and it is hard to have time on your own. In time I realised that it was an honour to be part of it and that the result can’t be what I focus on. My feelings then were more lighthearted and I sought to have fun and great conversations with others. I also tried to focus on the performance and joy that others were taking from their competition.

Would you ever like to go back to Rio?

No