As all eyes turn to the Paris Olympics, Wesley’s Archivist, Mrs Zoe Mailer, talked to some Old Collegians who have a special relationship with the Games.
Declan Tingay (15-16)
A pandemic-era Olympian looking forward to Paris
Racewalker, Tokyo Olympic Games 2020
Racewalker Mr Declan Tingay had an unorthodox Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games. The magnitude of competing as an Olympian was almost lost on Declan: with the postponed games being held a year later than planned due to COVID-19, the restrictions placed on athletes meant the experience was far from that of the Olympians who came before them.
Olympics in a pandemic era meant that no media throng was waiting to descend on athletes at the airport gate. COVID protocols were firmly in place, and athletes had to head straight to their booked accommodation. This isolation was non-negotiable, so there was no comradery to be experienced in the Olympic Village.
“You didn’t get that customary Olympic Village, or that huge atmosphere that you would normally get,” says Declan. “Distance events were held on the other side of Japan. We were effectively locked into a hotel for most of our time over there, only going to and from training venues. It was a very nontraditional Olympic experience.”
Sightseeing or post-race celebrations in Tokyo were out of the question, with athletes required to fly out of the country after their events. The Opening Ceremony went ahead, but to a near empty stadium. Perhaps most effecting, friends and supporters couldn’t attend the events. Declan’s own family could not fly to Japan due to the closed borders in WA at the time.
At the time of writing, the Racewalking team for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games is yet to be announced, but Declan is currently the fastest qualified Australian male for the 20km event. Assuming he stays in the top three, he will be packing his best race-walking shoes and flying to France.
Declan has the following advice for aspiring athletes coming up through Wesley: “Make the most of the sporting opportunities you have at Wesley. Especially if you can diversify the sports that you’re doing. I was not necessarily the best athlete at 15, 16, 17 years old, but I always enjoyed my time playing sport — and Wesley is a great school at which to enjoy sport.”
This article, by Wesley’s Archivist, Mrs Zoe Mailer, was originally published in the Winter 2024 edition of The Wesleyan. To read more, click here. We’re pleased to confirm that Declan has been selected in the Australian Paris Olympic Team for the Men’s 20km Race Walk and Marathon Race Walk Replay Mixed Team.
Subscribe to Wesley College News & Events