Murray Wildcard Offers Dream Come True
WAIS rhythmic gymnast Janine Murray has received a dream invitation to compete at the 2012 London Olympic Games after earning a wildcard nomination from the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG).
Pending official ratification from the Australian Olympic Committee, Murray – a Zimbabwean born, Australian raised, 2010 Commonwealth Games champion – will live out her life long ambition to compete at the Olympic Games in the sport she loves.
Murray was issued a wildcard nomination after being the top ranked Oceania representative at last September’s World Championships in France. Confirmation however, was delayed until after this year’s London Test Event, where positions were once again up for grabs as Murray explained.
“The first selection event for the London Olympics was the2011 World Championships in Montpellier, France which took place in September. This event selected the top 15 athletes with no more than two places per country and ranked the top athletes from each continent or region, she said.
“The highest ranked athlete from each region was eligible for a continental wildcard, of which a total of four were given (one wildcard for the host nation and three continental wildcards for universality).”
“Following the September World Championships, I was ranked as the top athlete from the Oceania region and knew I was in contention for a continental wildcard. However, the Test Event in London took place in January 2012 to select athletes 16 – 20 and it was only after this event that I officially found out that I had been nominated by the FIG to represent Australia at the London Olympics,” she said.
Murray admitted that after such a convoluted process the official news had been a massive relief but one she couldn’t wait to share.
“A little bit shocked (upon receiving news) and hugely relieved,” Murray said. “I was hoping to tell my family first, but my coach managed to sneak in before me. So the next person I told was my best friend,” she said beaming.
With the Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics competition running from 9-12 August at the Wembley Arena, Murray and her coach Krasimira Yurukova can now formally begin Olympic preparations, with Murray confirming a detailed plan had been implemented to ensure she is ready to shine on the world’s biggest stage.
“We are very focused on getting a well rounded approach to my preparation for London,” she said. “For example, selecting good competitions overseas that fit well with our schedule for the upcoming months, ensuring my nutrition, physique and fitness are all on track and working on stepping up my mental skills for competition will be a major component in my preparation.”
But before the 21 year-old UWA science student thought too far ahead, she didn’t forget the nuts and bolts process that had got her this far.
“And then of course, lots and lots and lots of hours training in the gym,” she smiled.
Aside from being one of the worlds biggest sporting events, the Olympic Games doubles as one the most unique cultural experiences an athlete can grasp, and unsurprisingly Murray is keen to get as much out of the experience as possible.
“I’m really looking forward to the opening ceremony in London, (wearing) the Aussie uniform and I’d absolutely love to meet Usain Bolt,” she enthused.
From a performance perspective, Murray has the simple aim of performing the best she can.
“As a wildcard entrant my sights are set on performing a personal best across all four apparatus. If I am able to perform to my maximum potential at the biggest event of my sporting career, I believe I can’t ask anything more of myself,” Murray said.
“It’s a huge privilege to represent Australia at this prestigious event and hope to do my country and the sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics proud.”