TAMSYN LEWIS

Edited transcript of the Live Chat with Tamsyn Lewis, on the 2nd August 2000.

Interviewer: Welcome everyone to our first Athletics Chat.

Interviewer: Welcome everyone today we will be speaking to athlete Tamsyn Lewis.

Interviewer: Hi Tamsyn, thanks for joining us, how are you and where are you today ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: I'm very well because I'm on the Gold Coast and the weather is better than my home town which is Melbourne.

Interviewer: spm: Are you in training now ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Yes I've just got back from Europe and I'm up here in my last heavy training sessions before the games.

Interviewer: greeny: Happy Birthday Tamsym for a couple of weeks ago!!
Tamsyn_Lewis: Laughs...... Thank you - don't know how you knew but THANKYOU!!

Interviewer: spm: Would you tell us a little about what events you compete in and which you enjoy most ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: I compete in the 400m and 800m, I'm originally a sprinter who has moved up to 800m - I now prefer 800m because the race is far more interesting and its more tactical - I prefer it much more now.

Interviewer: spm: Are you on special diets ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Laughs...... sometimes - I'm supposed to be - I have to eat a lot of steak, calcium, and I still eat chocolates etc.. but in moderation - I'm not really on a special diet though.

Interviewer: greeny: You ran really well over in Europe amongst some of the best in the world, are you now looking forward to mixing it with them at the games ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Yeah I can't wait - my Europe trip gave me a lot of confidence..... I'm getting really nervous and I can't wait to run with the other girls.... can't wait....

Interviewer: Do you have a lot of mates on the team ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Um..... Yes I do actually... one of my best mates if Jane Jamieson (Heptathalete) you have to make special friends because travelling around Europe can be really lonely.

Interviewer: tr-tr: The 800 is tactically a very difficult race - how do you approach it ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Um.... because I'm relatively new to the event I'm still learning.... but every race is different..... I approach every race by being confident and by knowing if I do get in a bad position not to panic and lose it.... you have to expect the unexpected.

Interviewer: greeny: Is travelling and racing in Europe all that it is made out to be or is it really a toll on you physically and mentally ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: It definitely is a toll - it sounds like it is exciting travelling the world.... but you are travelling a lot and may see 3 countries in one day!! On the recent Europe trip I took my brother and I think that made me feel a little more relaxed .... it drains you of energy if you are not careful.... It is very demanding.

Interviewer: tr-tr: The Olympic athletics trials are on soon - which of the 3 days are your events on ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Ummm....... If I run the 400 I am on all 3, but my 800 is on the 18/19th 2nd and 3rd days.

Interviewer: greeny: What is the atmosphere like with the athletes that are now based up on the gold coast. It seems that nearly all of Australia's T & F guys and girls are up there ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: There are a lot of us up here, some are still over seas.... most are very positive but the team is carrying a few injuries which makes it very hard.

Interviewer: tr-tr: What do you think will be the best thing about living in the Athletes Village during the Games at Homebush ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Just being amongst people that live their lives like you do and probably the best thing being the last day in the village when the atmosphere is relaxed.... prior to that there is a lot of tension.

Interviewer: greeny: How big is your boyfriend and how fast can he run ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: He is 6ft 3 and I tell him he can't run but he can play football.

Interviewer: aussie20: Whats your quickest time for the 800m ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: At this stage .... 1.59.21.

Interviewer: tr-tr: Do you ever have to run the 4 and 8 in the same day ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Um... rarely, but some times at interclub meets - it's very hard to do at an elite level.

Interviewer: greeny: Are you racing again before the trials ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Yes I am racing this Friday night and I have a pacer in this and I am hoping I can get close to the Aussie title.

Interviewer: Buzza: Tamsyn spoke with you as you were leaving Brisbane grand prix several seasons ago about when you moved up from 400 to 800 think we were the only ones after an autograph haven't times changed knew you could do it well done will be in Sydney to see your best yet!!
Tamsyn_Lewis: Oh thank you so much.... If I'm ever in Brisbane again - please come up and see me - I love talking to people who have stood by me, especially when I wasn't doing that well.... thank you very much.

Interviewer: tr-tr: Do you compete against Cathy Freeman ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Yes.... but rarely - she is a 400m run but we are in the relay team together..... and I just finished 6 weeks in Europe pacing with her - she is coached by the same person.

Interviewer: greeny: Any good stories or quotes from other athletes on your recent European trip ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Laughs........ The only one that was related to me was from Kathy.... "belive in yourself - you can do it".

Interviewer: tr-tr: What code of football does your boyfriend play ? Is he famous ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: He plays Aussie rules - he plays for the Kangaroos....... Lee Colbort ..... he is famous!!!!!

Interviewer: tr-tr: How much of a 'warm-up' for September will the trials be considering they are at Homebush ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: A definite warm up cause the track has different winds from other tracks.... it gives you extra nerves - it's a good practice/dress rehearsal.... should be a good indicator of how you will feel for the first round.

Interviewer: cmg37: Tamsyn, are you excited about racing at Stadium Aust in the Trials ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Definitely! I think anybody would be racing on the future olympics site!

Interviewer: Fakes: Are you looking forward to running in front of a home crowd ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Laughs..... yes the fact that there will be 100,000 people and the support would push anyone especially when you are doing an individual sport.

Interviewer: cmg37: Tamsyn, are you enjoying your higher media profile ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: laughs........ I didn't realise it was higher..... I didn't think I was famous at all.....!

Interviewer: greeny: What was it like having 50 well dressed gentlemen singing to you at the sydney grand prix and are you looking forward to another seranade by the black tie cheer squad at the trials ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: laughs....... I was extremely embarrassed at first, but extremely flattered... It made athletics a very funny day that day, they are good for the sport... and they are all really good guys too!!!!

Interviewer: tr-tr: What do you think about Cathy Freeman's intentions to enter politics ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Um...... I think that is great if she wants to do it and she has a very positive outlook and will bring that into anything that she enters.!

Interviewer: tr-tr: Do you get to mingle much with international athletes ? What are they like - do you hae any good mates from overseas ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Yes, I have a lot of good mates from athletics overseas.... and it is quite sad because you don't get to see them very much..... Thank goodness for email huh??!!

Interviewer: What do you like to do outside of athletics ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Really?.... trailbike riding, golf, going to the movies and watching the football,.,....!

Interviewer: cmg37: Tamsyn, you seemed to have improved enormously from your races in Seville in the '99 WC' to this trip to Europe - what is this down to ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Basically self belief - I believed in my ability and I am a lot more confident in everything in my life and it shows on the track!

Interviewer: Buzza: My daughter is a keen runner ranked top 12 or so in 400 and 800 first year in u/16 then the rot set in is now 16years first year in u/18 having trouble breaking 60 and 2.20 tried to work on 400 speed last year to improve 800 and 400 but still not happening. She ran at the Gold Coast last Sunday saw you from a distance but didnt like to disturb you . Any advice for her on how she can challenge you in the future for the crown ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: I think when I was going from 16-18 I was having difficult years... I didn't improve... its a transition period for many girls... but the main thing is to relax and enjoy your sport still... and not to be too disappointed in how you are doing compared to when you were younger.... but definitely focus on the speed side of the 800m - it will come back!!!!

Interviewer: tr-tr: How do you expect to go in the trials ? ... and then in the Games ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: I'm expecting to hopefully win the trials and at the games to make the finals... and then anything can happen!

Interviewer: cmg37: Tamsyn, what do you think of the Olympic uniforms ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Basically to me a uniform is a uniform - as long as it fits properly and is Australian I am happy to wear it no matter what.

Interviewer: tr-tr: How often do you watch Lee play football ? How often does he watch you compete ? Do you swap athlete tips ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: Well whenever I'm in Melbourne I'll watch him... and that's the same for whenever I'm in Melbourne he'll watch me.... other than that we will watch videos.... we call alot and catch up that way....

Interviewer: Fakes: Do you really follow your boyfriend's football team ?
Tamsyn_Lewis: No! laughs........ I go for Hawthorne!!

Interviewer: Many thanks Tamsyn for talking to us today, have a great time !
Tamsyn_Lewis: Thanks for the support and entertaining me for an hour!!

Interviewer: Dont forget everyone, more Sports chats tonight: bigpond.com/chat starts 6pm, and be back next week at 11.am Wednesday.

Interviewer: Thanks everyone, great questions ! Hope you can all join us again tonight, and again next week tell your friends!