By Tyler Lewis
“It’s going to be so different, but I think these are the Olympics that are going to be remembered throughout time, and to be able to experience that – it will be incredible.”
Sergei Evglevski is about to embark on an enormous journey, his biggest to date – from Berwick to the Tokyo Olympics.
And the Olympic Pistol shooter believes it’s going to be one remembered for a long time.
It’s been a different year for the nations Olympians, Evglevski touched on the extra year of preparation, a year he feels has assisted in developing his maturity.
“It’s (the additional year) has had its ups and downs in all honesty,” he said.
“I know an upside to it is I have really matured, comparing to this time last year I have felt a lot more stable.
“Obviously one of the downsides is it has been a bit of a waiting game and heaps of uncertainty.
“Just have to live every day one day at a time and keep going forward.
“We had quite a bit of a break, it wasn’t long after selections that they announced covid and everything getting delayed.
“We lowered our intensity so we could build back up for the 2021 games,” Evglevski said.
Travelling internationally is uncommon in this current time, but it is going to be an uncommon games, where the competitors will have to undergo intense testing to maintain safety.
“I think it’s one of those situations where we have to be really cautious and really safe,” he said.
“I know we’re doing testing every day, we test 96 hours before we leave, 72 hours before we leave and then once we arrive, I think we either test as soon as we get off the pane or on the plane.
“We have to test negative every time and provide evidence that we’ve been vaccinated, it’s really serious but I think it’s the best thing for the athletes.
“It’s probably just the safest thing they could for the athletes.”
Evglevski is born and raised in Olympic shooting royalty, with mum Lalita Yauhleuskaya competing at six games, two for Belarus in 1996 and 2000, and four for Australia in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
His family have helped him in many ways along his journey, but have also prepared him for something other than competing.
“With everything in my family, with what my mum has told me, I think the dining hall is going to be one of the best things there,” he joked.
“When I went to the dining hall at the Commonwealth Games it was awesome, with these Olympics it won’t be as busy, which is fair enough.
“I think the experience with the Olympic games is all I can ask for.
“They’ve been ridiculously supportive, anything I need they’ve been there to help.
“I have always been tought to fight my own battles, I know I have their support 24/7, but I try to do it myself because that’s what they’ve taught me.
“They’ve lived it, they always know what to say.”
Some athletes are pleased with making the Olympic squad, others aren’t satisfied with anything but a podium finish.
Evglevski, however, has his sights = set on competing at the best he can.
“I don’t have anything specific like that, but for me, with the amount of time I have put in is get there and try my hardest,” he said.
“If I get there and get bottom ten, but I tried my hardest, I’ll be happy, if I know I gave 110%, I’ll be happy.
“But if I go and say, ‘oh I have made it, I’m happy’ and half ass everything, that’s when I will be the most disappointed.
“Going in there and giving it my full effort is all I can do,” Evlgevski said.
The 2021 summer Tokyo Olympic games are set to commence July 23.
