Australian high jumper Nicola McDermott says she's preparing for every scenario at the Tokyo Olympics as the world continues to grapple with the pandemic.
Speaking in Maitland on Wednesday, the 24-year-old from the New South Wales Central Coast will compete in her first Olympics next month.
"I'm feeling just excited," McDermott told students at Maitland Grossman High School.
Tokyo will be very different to other Olympics because of the strict conditions in place.
"I'm getting my mind around the fact that it will be very sterile — it might not be social," McDermott said.
"I'll see the inside of the dining hall, my room and the track and that will be it for however long I'm in the village for, and I'm OK with that because I'm there to perform."
Going for gold
Japan has experienced its fourth wave of COVID-19 infections and many locals are calling for the Games to be cancelled.
McDermott has had her coronavirus vaccine and says she's focused on competing.
"I've done the risk assessment," she said.
"There is a possibility I'll get coronavirus and not compete, there is a possibility that it might get shut down.
"There is a possibility of all those things, but I'm not going to let my doubts or the risks get in the way of my performance."
McDermott jumped two metres at a recent Olympic qualifying event — the highest ever by an Australian woman.
She is aiming to bring a medal home from Tokyo.
"Nobody goes to the Olympics for fourth place," she said.
McDermott claps to start each run up to get the crowd involved and find her rhythm.
But there won't be any crowds in Tokyo, except for fellow athletes.
"I'll still be doing the clap in an empty stadium, so I'll be hearing the cheers at home," she said.
The Tokyo Games will begin on July 23.
