For any parent, the feeling of their child being accomplished can be a justified manifestation of unconditional love and admiration, regardless of external validation.

However, in the case of Olina Karatzias, her achievements are hard to disregard, even when hearing her mother describe them.

“Five years ago, Olina became a national champion for her level. Fast forward to 2023, and training approximately 30 hours a week since then, she is now one of the junior gymnasts selected to represent Australia in two international competitions,” Despina Karatzias told Neos Kosmos citing an article published in 2018 by this masthead on her then 9-year-old daughter bringing home three gold medals and a bronze one.

Olina is travelling to Europe this week, along with the Australian Junior Women Artistic Gymnastics team.

The 15-year-old is amongst those selected to represent the country at the Tournoi Combs La Ville competition held on 18-19 November in France, as well as the Olympics Hopes Cup in the Czech Republic running on 24-25 November.

“We are so proud of the girls – a true testament to the hard work they have put in to be selected to represent Australia!”, Olina Karatzias’ local club of Waverley Gymnastics in Oakleigh posted on socials.

Have no doubt, the work has been hard and plenty.

Olina’s training schedule comprises of 30 hours a week, spread out in double sessions on some days.

It is not always realistic to dedicate equal attention to training and school requirements at the same time, she admits, especially ahead of international tournaments.

“Because of the preparation for these competitions, I’ve been focusing on the gym a lot, and I’ve also had to prepare for school exams. It’s really hard to balance the two, but school to me is just as important as the gym.”

Studying, she says, will regain first priority status once she is back from the overseas tournaments.

Olina Karatzias and fellow gymnast from her local club, Haylee Whitehead, will be joined by another Melburnian and a Perth-based teammate at the overseas tournaments.

Accompanying the four-girls representing Australia team will be three coaches.

“I’m excited. But obviously a bit nervous too, and I think it’s normal because it’s going to be my first time going away with just my gum in Australia.”

Despite the young age of athletes, parents are not allowed to escort children at the competitions.

Thankfully for Olina, Despina, paying tribute to the typical Greek mum temperament, has found a way to support her throughout the first-time overseas competition, albeit at a relative distance.

“It’s so far away and it’s her first time away without family, it’s not the easiest sport and this is just the beginning for her in her career, it’s a big thing.

“So we’ve decided with my husband, I’m just going to go meet her. I’m not staying at the same hotel, I will just show up like anyone else to watch her at the competitions,” Despina Karatzias explained.

The team of teens will leave Australia before the competition so they can acclimatise, do training for a week in Paris before the competition there and then head to Vienna for another week of training before the second competition in the Czech Republic.

After that, a unique mother-daughter experience awaits Olina.

“My yiayia who is now 91-years-old is alive and strong. They live an hour outside of Thessaloniki. So, after the competitions I’ll meet Olina and we will go via Greece for her to see her great-grandmother before coming home to Australia,” Olina’s mum said.

Despina expects the experience to be “really special” for Olina.

“I just thought after all the hard work for her to get to this point, it would be a nice reward, something to look forward too, that we can come back together and have a few days in Greece.”

Olina says she thinks similarly of the add-on trip.

“I’m very excited to go to Greece. This will be my third time, I went last year and once when I was a baby. But this time will be a memorable one for sure, and a well-deserved rest after the competition. I’m looking forward to it a lot,” Olina told Neos Kosmos.

For now, her eyes are set on the upcoming tournaments. She knows the format will be similar to how she has been practising from very young, since almost the age of three in competition style for the four apparatuses – beam, floor, vault and bars.

Beyond the physical skills however, she says the hardest part of gymnastics lies elsewhere.

“There’s a much larger mental aspect that people don’t see, the injuries, the setbacks, having to mentally prepare yourself.”

During hard times, she says a self-driven pep talk can be as important as training.

“I just tell myself you’ve done it 1000 times before and you’ve gotten through it. What makes you think you can’t do it again?”

Ultimately, she says gymnastics is about “having fun and not overthinking it”.

Even in competitions.

“I’ll just try my best. It’s my first time overseas and whatever happens happens. If something doesn’t go right, I can fix it at the gym and then come back better.

“Same for my parents. They just want me to be happy and whatever they think will help me they try and do it just so I can be happy and enjoy it. Because that’s why I’m doing it.”