Sixth in in the 20km walk in the Olympics with more than 40 others yet to finish
Jemima Montag is on her second day of hotel quarantine in Brisbane and cannot wait to reunite with her family in Melbourne after an amazing result in the 20km walk in the Tokyo Olympics.
Jemima Montag and an Olympic moment
The 23-yr-old racewalker is very grateful for being provided with an exercise bike, weights and a yoga mat. The food has been good so far and she is also allowed food delivery should she need it.
She returned to Australia a day ago on an overnight charter transporting athletes only.
Jemima Montag Photo: Supplied
She told J-Wire: “Japan was an interesting experience. The race-walk took place in Sapporo where there was little atmosphere.
The past two nights before we flew out we were in Tokyo, so I got to experience the Olympic atmosphere, saw the athletes’ village and watched the closing ceremony.”
She added: “The way that they handled the Olympics was incredible. Very few of the athletes contracted Covid and there were daily swabs and rapid saliva tests with everyone following the protocols. Most of us felt that these games gave the world a sense of unity and hope. It was very uplifting for the athletes, and for the world watching. It has been a positive experience for so many of us.”
Family fans in Melbourne
Jemima spoke about her event.
She said: “My race was great. We have been preparing for the conditions for years. I have a team of people, who understood what was to be expected. We were prepared for the weather and the humidity. It was imperative to stay hydrated and to be mindful of my core temperature. I prepared for my race, by pre-cooling, sitting in an ice bath which helped keep my temperature low before the start of the race.
We all got hotter while walking. The pre-cooling helped. We knew that while my temperature would rise, so starting off cooler really helped my walk. We also have cooling strategies such as putting menthol in our water. It feels cool in your mouth, so it makes you feel cooler.
I was thrilled with 6th place as it was my goal to be placed in the top ten. My preparation went far better than expected. I was ranked top 16th in the field.
Jemima had a routine to pass the time while in quarantine. She carried out exercise routines and joined her sister in Melbourne in attending yoga classes.
Jemima frequently FaceTimed her family who had planned to watch her race-walk in a Melbourne cinema before the screening was called off due to the lockdown.
Racing to the finish
Her family gathered at the Montag home suitable attired as Jemima’s proudest supporters.
She told J-Wire: “I have a very close family. They want me to fulfil my dreams. My mother encouraged me early on to see all of the opportunities that I could take, and she has helped me so much along the way.
It has been a privilege and a very exciting lifestyle I have chosen. I will be taking some time off to enjoy all the things that 23 year olds are doing, and will be taking the time to balance studying and training. My coach is very supportive, as a better lifestyle balance, makes a better athlete.”
Jemima starts studying medicine in February. “There are lots of medical people in my life. I have so many people who have studied or pursued medicine. I feel very supported in this choice, it will guide me to balance my life, studying and training. My aim is to pursue women’s health.”
She also plans to work on a project to empower young women and girls to pursue sports.
Well done, good result.