Before heading to London 2012, Melbourne sports physiotherapist Greg Varigos tipped the Grenadian sprinter Kirani James to win gold, and under Greg’s protective care, that’s just what the young athlete did.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos on his return, the Melburnian physiotherapist said that he was delighted to have been part of ‘Team Kirani’ that won Grenada’s first ever Olympic gold medal.
“I’m very proud,” said Greg. “To have been a part of his gold medal win was highly satisfying. The pressure on him was enormous to win, and he did it with such poise and modesty, it was great.”
As official physiotherapist for Grenada’s Olympic team in London, Greg’s duties meant ensuring each athlete was at the top of his or her physical game for each event.
“Kirani came to the games in good condition. Being nineteen he’s very supple, has excellent stretch, and he does all the right things in terms of preparing himself,” said Greg.
“In his heat, he was the slowest qualifier and the outside world thought he wasn’t on top form, but we knew he had something up his sleeve.”
In the final of the 400m, Kirani James stormed away off the top bend to win in a personal best of 43.94 seconds, closing the gap on the world record of 43.18 set by four-time Olympic champion, the United States’ Michael Johnson.
Greg describes James as “a typical 19-year-old boy. He likes to sleep all day and play on his laptop, but he’s very dedicated to his training and a very humble person.”
Asked how he rated London 2012 , having previously attended as a physio in the Sydney and Beijing games, Greg said: “the organisation of London 2012 was fantastic and the crowds at the stadiums were really good.
“But it was cold. That was one of the reasons why there were so many soft-tissue and hamstring injuries.”
During the games, Greg roomed at the Olympic village with Kirani James’ coach, Harvey Glance, the 4 x 100m American runner who won gold at the 1976 Olympics.
Asked what will stay in his memories of London 2012, other than James’ victory, Greg says that witnessing Jamaica’s Usain Bolt winning three gold medals and Sally Pearson triumph in the 100m hurdles, were unforgettable highlights.
With Australia now questioning why its athletes underperformed in London, Greg says that he feels the problem lies in motivating the next generation of Olympians.
“We lose too many young athletes to other sports. We have excellent resources here in Australia but we need to get the youth of today participating in sport more.”