Damian Warner Eager to Compete in a Packed Stadium at Paris Olympics
Three years after winning the Olympic decathlon gold medal in a nearly empty stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo, Damian Warner is eagerly anticipating the lively atmosphere that awaits him at Paris 2024.
The Canadian athlete’s Olympic journey has been nothing short of a Hollywood script. Pandemic lockdowns forced him to train in a rundown hockey rink in the months leading up to Tokyo.
His team brought in space heaters, built a jumping pit and a throwing circle, and laid down a 60-meter track. However, most days were so cold that he lost feeling in his fingers.
Compared to that, his preparation for Paris has been a breeze.
“Yes, it was an interesting year. There were so many different things like no fans in the stands, the isolation events, and the (COVID) tests every day,” Warner told Reuters.
“I think the energy in the (Paris) stadium is going to be the best of my career. People are excited to be back, and the energy will be really high in Paris, which is already a travel destination,” he added. “I’m looking forward to getting back into that environment, having some fun, and competing again.”
Paris will mark the 34-year-old athlete’s fourth Olympics. He won a bronze medal in 2016 and placed fifth in 2012. He has also competed in numerous world championships, securing four outdoor world medals.
Speaking about the benefits of his experience, Warner said, “Scheduling causes problems for a lot of people, but I’ve managed to deal with it.”
“Adverse weather is a big issue, and I’ve managed to cope with it. But also the pressure, dealing with the media, dealing with the Athlete’s Village, and not burning out. I can handle these things really well to overcome those situations.”
“Even small things like ‘Oh, the buses are late’ – I’ve been there, done that, so it’s just a matter of trusting my experience and my technique.”
‘THE GOAL IS TO WIN’
Warner, who won silver at last season’s World Championships behind fellow Canadian Pierce LePage, achieved a historic eighth title at the Gotzis Hypo-Meeting in May, often regarded as the unofficial multi-event world championship, setting him up nicely for the Olympics.
Despite already having an Olympic gold medal, finding motivation or setting goals for the Olympics has never been difficult for him.
“The goal is to win. There’s always the natural excitement because it’s the Olympics,” Warner said.
“This is what you dreamed of when you were young, so whenever it’s an Olympic year, everything always gets a little easier, the motivation is always a bit easier. So naturally, getting out there and competing becomes easier.”
“And it’s not going to be easy because the level of competition is so high. But I think we’re in a good place.”
Warner plans to compete in the 2025 Tokyo World Championships to experience a stadium full of fans, but beyond that, he’s unsure of what his career holds.
“Every year I’m going to assess it and ask myself: Are you enjoying this? Are you healthy? Do you still have something to give to the sport? If all those answers are yes, I’ll continue.”
Warner spoke to the media as part of the “Feed the Dream” campaign, run in collaboration with the Canadian team’s official grocer, Empire Company Limited. The campaign allows fans to leave good luck notes in virtual “lunchboxes” for Canadian athletes.
The Olympic decathlon is scheduled to take place on August 2 and 3 at Stade de France.
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