Monday 3 November
By Ashley Gaden
Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Natalie Cook returned to the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games today after her role as ambassador for the Games in 2012.
Cook is delighted to see some 14,000 competitors participating in the Games this year and said she is enjoying the Games Village festivities.
“It’s so great to see people have a love and passion for our sport and are able to come to their Olympic Games, which are the Masters,” Cook said.
“It’s great to see so many people still loving the sport that they grew up with and right here on the beautiful Gold Coast.”
After retiring from the sport two years ago, Cook has turned to professional public speaking but maintains her passion by contributing to the sport and the wider community through other measures.
“I’m putting beach volleyball into all the surf clubs around the country so that the nippers can play beach volleyball which is what I am passionate about,” Cook said.
“I get to talk to people and have photos taken with them and it’s so great to see so much happening in the sport and be a part of the event.”
With retired national and international competitors returning to the Masters to compete with the other participants, the importance of role models remains evident.
“We often think of ourselves as role models for the kids more so than the adults but when you come to an event like this you see how many people want to stop and have a photo,” Cook said.
“These people have watched my career and they’ve watched other Olympians compete and to be able to stand and talk to them for a little while is great now that I’ve retired.”
However, Cook’s involvement in the sport and in five Olympic Games is never far from her mind.
“The culture of the sport is fantastic, the people are great,” Cook said.
“Win a beach volleyball game, shake hands and go have a drink after.”
The new system was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta although better in some elements but not significant for us.
