Paris Reflections
Learn from Australia’s leading coaches who guided athletes to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each coach shares their unique experiences, discussing their successes, challenges, and the invaluable lessons they learned throughout the journey. From navigating the pressures of competition to adapting training strategies, these insights provide practical takeaways for coaches of all levels.
Gavin Burren
Personal Coach to Abbey Caldwell (800m)
Gavin is an insightful and dedicated coach whose thoughtful approach to athlete development was evident throughout his journey with Abbey Caldwell to the Paris 2024 Olympics. Known for his ability to adapt to challenges, Gavin seamlessly integrated innovative strategies like altitude training and speed development to enhance Abbey’s performance. His focus on refining technique, adjusting training to the athlete’s needs, and fostering mental resilience set the foundation for Abbey’s success.
Presentation Summary
The primary goal was to qualify for the Olympics, with a focus on improving both physical and mental performance. Despite missing the Tokyo Games, they were determined to make Paris a reality. Their preparation involved addressing physical gaps, increasing fitness, and developing a training environment that could adapt to travel and different locations.
A key decision was to incorporate altitude training, an approach widely used by top athletes. While results were promising, a significant learning point came from neglecting to check Abbey’s iron levels before the altitude camp, which led to fatigue and hindered performance during the season. Despite this setback, altitude training was considered a success and will be part of future plans.
“Altitude was a success. It didn’t scare me off from doing altitude... We’re going to do it again... We definitely need to spend more time at altitude than what we’re doing now if we want Abbey to be the runner that I hope she can be.”
Gavin also discussed the addition of "speed Mondays," inspired by global training trends, to enhance Abbey’s race start speed and position. Though the benefits weren’t immediately apparent, by the time they reached Paris, progress was evident.
“We recognised the event demand called for that [speed Mondays] as well. We wanted to be able to start faster, get Abbey into better positions to make better decisions, and be able to kind of use it as a tool in her toolkit.”
The decision between competing in the 800m or 1500m at the Olympics was challenging, and Abbey eventually chose the 800m, which proved to be a tough, competitive field. Their training and strategic plans went through several stages, from domestic meets to overseas races.
Gavin expressed pride in their performance, recognising the difficulty of competing at such a high level. The experience highlighted the importance of being mentally and physically prepared for the intensity of the Games.
In hindsight, Gavin would adjust race tactics, aiming to position Abbey more aggressively in the earlier stages of the race. He acknowledged that Olympic preparation is complex, involving not just physical training, but also managing logistics, mental resilience, and strategic decision-making.
“We made a big mistake going up there by not checking her iron late enough... that was a really big lesson for us... assuming everything looks okay but it wasn’t”
Justin Rinaldi
Team Coach and Personal Coach to Peter Bol (800m)
Justin Rinaldi is one of Australia’s most successful Middle Distance coaches of all time. His thoughtful approach to coaching is evident in his ability to adapt to the evolving trends in the 800m event and the challenges faced by his athletes. His emphasis on consistency and mental resilience speaks to his deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Rinaldi’s honesty in acknowledging the setbacks and struggles, particularly the impact of external factors on Peter’s performance, reflects a coach who not only cares about results but also about his athlete’s well-being.
Presentation Summary
Despite facing setbacks like injuries and well publicised struggles, Peter's resilience was key in getting back on track. Unfortunately, the preparation for Paris was hampered by injuries and a disrupted training schedule, particularly in the lead-up to Nationals. Despite all these challenges, Justin found that even with limited preparation, Peter still managed strong results, showcasing his strong competitive spirit.
Justin discussed the importance of consistency in training, highlighting the need for athletes to build upon their performances throughout the year rather than expecting breakthroughs at major events. He also shared his thoughts on the evolving dynamics of the men’s 800m, stressing that the race approach has shifted with more evenly paced runs, suggesting a need for coaches to adapt their strategies accordingly.
“We as athletes and coaches need to make sure that we get better and we’re consistently better. We can’t think that we’re going to produce something at the Olympics that we’ve never produced before; we have to produce consistently before the Olympics”
Justin reflected on his time observing other athletes at the Olympics, noting that those who performed well stuck to a consistent, well-planned routine—something that can be applied to any coach’s approach. His takeaways also include the importance of mental preparation and recovery, as exemplified by Jess Hull in St. Moritz, and the growing need for athletes to embrace discipline both on and off the track if they are to achieve top results.
“The one thing that stood out about Keely Hodgkinson was that she did the exact same warm-up, exact same drills, same runs over cones, everything exactly the same in the exact same spot for the heat, semi, and final. Nothing changed; it was all just very businesslike and routined.”
Overall, Justin's experience underscores the significance of managing training loads, staying consistent with race tactics, and maintaining a strong mental focus throughout the competition season to excel at the highest level.
Philo Saunders
Team Coach and Personal Coach to Michael Roeger (1500m) and Jaryd Clifford (1500m, 5000m)
Throughout his journey with Michael Roeger and Jaryd Clifford leading up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Philo demonstrated exceptional flexibility, whether adjusting training plans to accommodate injuries, managing travel fatigue, or refining race strategies under pressure. His thorough and thoughtful approach to athlete preparation, combined with his focus on mental resilience and building a strong support network with fellow coaches, has played a key role in his athletes’ ability to perform at the highest level.
Presentation Summary
Philo Saunders shared his experiences and lessons learned from coaching Australian Paralympic athletes Michael Roeger and Jaryd Clifford during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. His approach to their preparation was methodical and well-planned, though it was marked by some key challenges and adaptations. He began by outlining the team’s strategy, which included using altitude training as a cornerstone of their preparation, alongside targeted race practice. Michael’s focus was on refining his running mechanics and developing anaerobic capacity, particularly after a period of injury recovery. This effort paid off in the lead-up to Paris, despite a rocky start to his race performances. Jaryd, on the other hand, faced more severe setbacks due to recurring injuries, including a stress fracture in his tibia. Despite these issues, Saunders and his team worked hard to keep Jaryd’s aerobic capacity intact, incorporating alternative methods like treadmill gradient training to manage his injuries while maintaining fitness.
“One of the biggest challenges was adapting on the fly – we had to be flexible with training due to injuries, travel fatigue, and unexpected situations, but we kept pushing forward.”
One of the most significant challenges for Saunders was the need to adapt training plans on the fly, particularly with the travel demands and injury setbacks that both athletes experienced. For Michael, the approach included a strong emphasis on speed development, biomechanics, and refining race strategies to improve performance in Paris. For Jaryd, it was more about getting him to the starting line in the best possible shape given the circumstances. Saunders’ strategy also involved integrating a flexible approach to managing travel and recovery. He noted the importance of ensuring adequate recovery time, particularly when traveling between different race locations, as this often interfered with the athletes' training adaptations.
“I think it’s crucial to build relationships with other coaches at these events. You can lean on them when things don’t go as planned, and the support can be invaluable in high-pressure situations”
In Paris, Saunders faced a challenging emotional balancing act, managing the contrasting outcomes for his athletes. Michael's silver medal was a great achievement, while Jaryd experienced a heart-breaking disqualification and a near-miss in the 1500m, where he finished fourth despite a strong performance. Through all these ups and downs, Saunders' ability to adapt to the needs of his athletes and provide them with the mental and physical support they needed stood out. He credited the strong relationships with other coaches at the Games and the importance of building a support network in these high-pressure environments. Saunders’ experience in Paris reinforced the need for flexibility, mental resilience, and an unwavering focus on long-term development, despite the unpredictable nature of elite competition.
“We had a clear race strategy for both Michael and Jaryd, and we worked hard to ensure they were ready for their races, no matter the setbacks along the way.”
Tim O’Shaughnessy
Personal Coach to Reece Langdon (1500m)
Tim O'Shaughnessy demonstrated exceptional adaptability and dedication throughout his journey with Reece Langdon to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Despite the challenge of not being able to travel overseas with Reece due to other commitments, Tim expertly navigated this limitation by strategically maximising domestic training and competition opportunities. His ability to stay calm and focused under pressure, and his unwavering support for Reece’s development, speaks to his deep commitment as a coach.
Presentation Summary
Tim’s journey with Reece was far from conventional, and he reflected on how their path to success had not been pre-planned. This aspect of their story is especially relevant for coaches who may find themselves in similar situations, where success arises from unexpected or unconventional routes. It serves as a reminder that while many coaches follow a structured approach to athlete development, success can also stem from embracing the journey as it unfolds, adapting along the way.
“I knew early on that I wouldn’t be traveling overseas with Reece. That meant we had to plan around the timing and make sure we maximised the domestic opportunities.”
One of the key challenges Tim faced was the reality that he would not be able to travel overseas with Reece due to other commitments. From the outset, he had made it clear that this would be a limitation, which meant that their planning had to be adjusted accordingly. This presented an important lesson for coaches in terms of recognising potential constraints early on and designing training strategies that maximise the resources available. With travel restrictions in place, Tim and Reece focused their efforts on optimising local training and competition opportunities. Coaches can take away the value of making the most of domestic resources, rather than relying on international travel or high-profile competitions. This requires careful planning to ensure athletes continue to progress without the need for extensive overseas exposure.
Tim emphasised the mental resilience required to navigate the unpredictable nature of elite competition. For athletes like Reece, who face the unique challenges of Paralympic sports, preparing mentally for unexpected obstacles is crucial. Coaches should consider integrating mental preparation into their coaching practices, helping athletes develop the mental toughness needed to handle the stress of competition, particularly when circumstances shift unexpectedly. The ability to stay focused and positive despite setbacks is a key element in high-level athletic development.
“There were moments where things didn’t go as expected, and it required a great deal of mental toughness from Reece to adapt and keep moving forward. Mental resilience became as much a part of our training as physical conditioning.”
Tim’s experience also highlighted the importance of being adaptable and flexible as a coach. When things don’t go according to plan, coaches must be prepared to pivot and find creative solutions. This adaptability was especially important given the logistical challenges and the fact that Tim could not always be present at competitions with Reece. The necessity of collaboration—whether with other coaches or support staff—was clear in how Tim worked around the limitations and made the most of the situation. This reinforces the value of fostering a collaborative coaching environment, where coaches share knowledge and strategies to help athletes reach their goals, even under less-than-ideal circumstances.