When we spoke with Jennifer two weeks out from the Games, all but one of her athletes were already overseas, she had been briefed by physios who are not travelling to Paris and preparing for the long but exciting days ahead.
While Paris 2024 is Jennifer’s first time as physio at the Paralympics, she will bring to bear her experience as physio to the Football Ferns at the London 2012 Olympics.
“That was quite a lot different to what I expect in Paris,” says Jennifer. “With 24 athletes in the Football Ferns squad it was largely a reactive role and we weren’t based in the Athletes’ Village but in one of the satellite hotels.”
As physio for New Zealand’s Para athletics team in Paris, Jennifer will have six athletes in her care.
“I describe the approach with Para athletes as N=1. It is a very individual approach and I believe it is the epitome of what performance physio should be. While there are always the unexpected injuries and illness to contend with, I see my role in Paris as finding solutions to provide our athletes with the best opportunities to perform.”
Competitions days will be long. Jennifer will be on the first bus to the Stade de France track at 5.30am to ensure she is there in plenty of time for the first athlete warmups.
“At that stage my role is to be there to support the athletes in their warmup and with last minute strapping and freeing up tight muscles until it is time for them to go to the call room. Sometimes I’ll be the team management member who gets them to the call room.
“Next time I’ll see that athlete will be once they are through the mixed zone to check whether they need anything and then again back at the Village, making for 12 to 14 hour days.”
Like so many of the HPSNZ athlete performance support team who have been or are in Paris, Jennifer’s excitement is palpable.
“Once I get on the plane I can’t do anymore preparation and that means I hope I’ve done everything I possibly can.”
Jennifer is quick to call out the strong team bond that has been created between the athletes, Athletics NZ and the other athlete performance support team members.
“We’ve travelled together a lot over the last few years, we know what needs to be done for our athletes. This is why we do what we do. Our job is to enable our athletes to do the best they can. It’s their time to shine.”
