THE VIBE - Youth Olympic Festival Australia Canoe Sprint

Bernadette Wallace | Sydney, Penrith - Walking through the stands of the AYOF (Australian Youth Olympic Festival) Sprint Canoe Kayak, it's easy to forget you're in Penrith. You can hear the people talking, laughing and cheering but you can't make sense out of it. Everything is muddled in a mix of languages and cultures.

Looking to one side, you see the Japanese team with their white and red uniforms, a modest red circle over their hearts. To the other is the Hungarian K1 paddler, in solace, coach near by, preparing to brave the heat and collect the Gold for their country. The athletes have come from places you've only dreamt of seeing. You feel the tense excitement, as the paddlers come down the course, and the relief and pride as they cross the line.You hear a loud scream silencing the rest, it's the Aussie, the one every knows, so immersed in the race, they find themselves claiming the win (there is never a loss) like they were in the boat with the athlete. The Brazilian wins the race claiming it with a flex of the bicep. You can see the excitement across his face and his team mates. Not only will he be taking home the Gold, he's already clutched an unforgettable experience preparing him for a home Olympic Games in Rio 2016 in three and a half years time.

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You decide to go for a wonder, checking out the Sydney International Regatta Centre. It was made for the Sydney 2000 Olympics where Australia won a silver in the MK2 500m with Andrew Trim teaming with Daniel Collins and a bronze with Katrin Borchert in the WK1 500. Walking down the hill, athletes buzz by past you, collecting their numbers, collecting their K2 partners from the kiosk and making their way to the boat sheds for race time. The sense of urgency makes you pick up pace. Sweating under the sun, melting your thongs on the road, your throat becomes scratchy from the dry heat of Sydney's western suburbs. You make tracks to the bubbler. Once you're there, you tread carefully ensuring you don't stand on an athlete. Lying on the ground are the 'stretchers', the 'meditators' and the 'nappers'. Silently, you have a sip of water and follow a kiwi, out and towards the warm up lake. The New Zealand athlete makes no attempt to stop as you get closer to the beginning of 1.5km of water, trees and grass. Then you spot their team and the New Zealand tent tucked away in the corner of the lake. Already dressed in all black, the kiwi's team just enhanced their stealth factor through the roof.

australian youth olympic festival 2013 penrith sydney bill bain canoe sprint kayak sportscene icf planet Suddenly your ears prick up, as you hear the commentator announce the start of the finals. Looking both ways for the AYOF triathletes on their road bikes, and the coach peleton that rides down the side of each race, you quickly jog across the road towards the straight. 1000m looks so far away!…and they call that a sprint! But the athletes have no problem with spinning their paddles 100 times a minute from start to finish. The race looks tight, with the nations going stroke for stroke. China might be just in front, they're the first country you see standing out in bright yellow and red. You put all your energy into your countries athlete, wishing them all your strength. You see them start to lift. They've summoned the energy to produce one last effort for the finish. Without warning, surprising yourself, your spirit has let out a huge, "COME ON AUSSIE, GO!" And you don't notice who turns around to look at you, or how loud you've just screamed in someones ear because this is your job! You come to support your country! The athletes have spent hours upon hours, sacrifice upon sacrifice to be out there on the water representing their nation, family, sport and themselves. You want to let them know it's not just them against the world, you've got their back and you're proud to do so.