G'day mate

One the most abiding memories of these Games will be the friendliness and genuine gratitude from the athletes.

I have built up a wonderful relationship with the Australian Pole Vaulters in particular.

It's just been right place right time, no more. If someone else had been on duty on the first day I met them it would have been their special relationship.

Wind direction is critical to pole vault training so we have had many discussions about where to put the landing mat, and many moves.

So much so that on the pole bags I have put a good luck message with the hash tag #wheresthemattoday ......

This lovely little chap is Joel; named after the athlete who gave him to me, Joel Pocklington.

Joel will be competing alongside his team mate Matt Boyd tomorrow evening. I have promised them I will be shouting at the TV for them.

They also accept I will be shouting louder for Max Eaves because Max is from the village of Warton next door to Freckleton.

It was so very kind of Joel to make a special journey from the athletes village to the training venue. It is 40 minutes each way on the athlete transport and giving me the bear was his main reason for the trip. He did do some light training too though.

When I was busy with a job, bless him, he also waited around for me for 10 minutes to say goodbye to me.

Now, where did I lay down the words to Advance Australia Fair, just in case for tomorrow night?