Lithgow Olympian and Kookaburra Lachi Sharp has not allowed the year-long delay of the Tokyo Games derail any plans he had to bring the gold home when he travels to Japan later this year.
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Speaking with the Lithgow Mercury from Perth during an induction week - and in the middle of a lockdown - with the Australian Hockey side the Kookaburras, he said he'd much rather play at a scaled-back Olympic Games than none at all.
If I could choose between no Olympic Games in 2021 or not at all, I'd definitely choose to have it in 2021 without spectators.
- Lachi Sharp on the Tokyo Games
Having spent some time back home in Lithgow over the Christmas break, Lachi said he's gearing up for a strong performance in Tokyo.
"At the end of the day, it's the Olympic Games, and there's still the opportunity to win a gold medal," he said. "If I could choose between no Olympic Games it in 2021 or not at all, I'd definitely choose to have in 2021 without spectators.
"It's still that opportunity to win a gold medal, experience an Olympic Village, the Olympic vibe. People will still get to be able to watch on their TVs from home. And who knows? It could be could that more people watch on their screens."
When Lachi lands in Tokyo, he will be well-trained and ready to win. But as is the nature of the Games, you're pitted against the best in the world. He said he expects the European teams to give Australia a run for their money.
"The Europeans are usually pretty strong, like the Dutch. The Belgians are coming up now, they're number one in the world - they got silver in in Rio, and won the World Cup in 2018. Germany won in Beijing and London [Olympics]. They always seem to step up right around Olympics time as well, so I'd say Europeans and Argentina might be prominent."
We asked Lachi what was on the horizon for him following a potential Olympic gold. Would he train for the next games in Paris, planned for 2024?
He said while Paris is on the cards, there's plenty to train for before that, including the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the Hockey World Cup in 2023.
"We kind of go through four years cycles. We have those major tournaments in the forefront of our mind," Lachi said.
"So my goal is to play in all the major tournaments I can and stay fit to have that opportunity. And in our team, the goal is to win the next three major tournaments. That's what our main goal is, really."
And what of the rumours about the Olympics not going ahead?
The British Times newspaper reported in January that the Japanese Government privately concluded that the 2021 Tokyo Olympics are likely to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the report was later refuted by Government officials.
"We can dispel those rumors," Lachi said. "The Chef de Mission spoke to us the other day. He was in a meeting with us and said 'the Olympics are going ahead 100 per cent.'"
"There's still a lot of planning to go into it. But to prepare as if it was normal."
"It isn't nice when you hear those rumours in the media talking about the Olympics being cancelled. He [Chef de Mission] sent an email out straight away and said not to believe it. So to hear that from him - was was a relief"
Lachi will head to the Japanese capital in late July.
