For every ambitious young athlete who ventures into the sporting world of track and field, becoming an Olympian would have to be the goal.
To win medals would of course, be the crowning glory.
But the fact remains that their ultimate goal has been achieved. Now and forever, they will always be known as an Olympian. For one such lady Kristie Edwards, this is her story.
At the Paris Olympics she represented Australia running the third leg of the 4×100 relay. Finishing 10th overall they just missed the final by two spots. To finally enter an Olympic Stadium wearing the green and gold of her Australian track suit has been a long hard journey.
This then, in her own words, is the story of 23 year old Kristie Edwards travelling the many roads that eventually enabled her to become an Olympian.
“For me I first started at my school athletics carnival at Newport Public School in NSW. I managed to make it all the way, NSW PSSA state finals where I came third in the eight year 100m final. I started Little Athletics at Manly Warringah Little Athletics club in the under nines and I have basically done athletics ever since. During my childhood and teenage years, I did many other sports including netball, surf lifesaving, cross country and swimming.”
It was in 2018 that in her first year out of school she was fortunate enough to make the World Junior Athletic Team in the 4×100 team.
“A year later, 2019 I was selected women’s 4×100 Australian team at the World Relays in Yokohama and then the World Championships in Doha later that year.
Then at the end of 2020 I left Sydney for Queensland and started training with my coach David Reid on the Gold Coast. At that time my boyfriend Zane Branco, a Noosa local, introduced me to Mick Hooper, the coach at Noosa Athletic Club. I chose to compete for the Noosa Club as the club was always friendly and supportive, so I enjoyed joining the team for the State Relay competitions.
After success in the 2023 Australian domestic athletics season, (third in the 100m and fourth in the 200m), I was selected to represent Australia at the World Championships in Budapest as well as the World University games in China. Next, I ran in two Diamond League Meetings (London and Zurich) in the Australian 4x100m team where we came fifth and third respectively. Then at the University Games I came fifth in the final of the 200m.”
For Kristie, 2024 was looking better when she ran a personal best time of 11.28 for first at the Queensland State Championships and then soxth in the 100m at the Australian National Championships. This was followed by selection to go to the Bahamas for the World Relay Championships to qualify for the Olympics.
“I was reserve for the team, but the team qualified for the Olympics and ran an Australian record. Following this I had some successful races in Europe, prior to the closing of Olympic team selection: running 11.43, 11.45, 11.34 at various meets in Europe. Next was selection to run in the 4×100 London Diamond League, coming 4th and we again broke the Australian record running 42.48. Then I was selected for the Olympics.”
At the Olympics Kristie ran the third leg in the Australian 4×100.
“Placed 10th overall, we only just missed the final by two spots. It was just an amazing experience at the Games and in the Village. For me, it was just surreal, competing in front of 80,000 people in the beautiful stadium and to be alongside some of my idols.”
When asked how she reacted to her selection for the Olympics she said, “First of all I got super excited then emotionally excited, because I just couldn’t believe it. It was a dream come true.‘’
But now she is home, what of the future – or is it too early?
‘’When I first arrived I wasn’t sure about anything, but to be honest I am starting to get the Olympic bug and think about LA in 2028, so who knows.’’
Away from the hustle and bustle of the international competition, is the ever-present problem of financial assistance for the amateur athletes. Because of Australia’s’ geometrical situation, the cost of travel is always of major concern.
For England, Europe and Asian countries the travel cost for athletes is, of course, extremely lower. The starting blocks for our athletes are, on most occasions, parents, part-time work and the occasional sponsor.
Kristie’s road to the Olympics, will I hope make a lot of perspective-sponsors, who dwell within our community, start to take a closer look into the world of our local international athletes. Our successful unknowns.
