By REBECCA BILLS
GRADE 6 students at Monbulk Primary School met with silver medallist David Morris on Friday.
Morris snapped up Australia’s third medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics, soaring his way to the podium in the men’s aerial skiing event on 17 February at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park.
He shared with students how the many years of knock-backs from the Australian team motivated him to prove their decision wrong and soar to glory.
“I had to endure two-and-a-half years of no’s before I got a yes,” he said.
“To me, it (the silver medal) is just a solid reminder that I have worked hard and that being consistent and determined over the years pays off.
Morris spoke to the students about his humble beginnings jumping into a leech-infested pond in Lillydale to having to squash eight years of training into four to be ready for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
“Sharing my experiences is very important to me as I was helped by my teammates when I started and inspired by the words of other international athletes at the time – I think it is my job to do the same especially with the profile I have earned myself.”
Monbulk Primary School Grade 6 teacher Wendy Smith said for the children to listen and meet someone who had been so successful in fulfilling their dreams was wonderful.
“It’s exciting for the children as we are very passionate in Australia about our sport,” she said.
“To have somebody who has fulfilled his dream is great as the children can actually listen to him and think ‘we are seeing someone who can do it, so maybe we can too’.
“I think at this age, lots of students have the dream of being the AFL sports player or represent their country, so to actually meet someone who has and to hear about their inspiration and their goals of how they made it is very inspiring for the children.”
Morris said he would be in Australia for a fair few months allowing his body to recover.
“I took some time off two years ago for my mental sanity and for my body to heal and I think it will be a good idea to do this again, so that I can return in peak form,” he said.
“I’m sure the sporting world will see me again soon enough but for now, home sweet home with friends and family.”
