From the Opening Ceremony to the Closing Ceremony, Narromine’s Pat McCutcheon had an amazing experience at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, despite coming home without a medal.
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McCutcheon represented Australia in the first ever Male Rugby Seven’s team for the Olympics.
He told the Narromine News and Trangie Advocate there were many great highlights.
“My favourite part would have had to have been interacting with other athletes in their respective sports,” he said.
“I created a lot of new friendships and it was good to meet a range of people from different backgrounds.”
McCutcheon and the Rugby Sevens team were athletes who were able to attend both the opening and closing ceremonies.
“The Opening Ceremony was a real buzz, we were lucky to march as a lot of the Australian team didn’t due to it clashing with their competition, only about 120 of the 420 Australians marched,” he said.
“The closing ceremony was much like the opening, but it was raining and cold, so we didn’t stay too long as there was no shelter, I know we’re sooks,” he joked.
Apart from meeting people, competing in the tournament and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, McCutcheon said watching other athletes in their events was great.
“The most impressive event I saw was Melissa Wu in the 10 metre diving. I wouldn’t have the courage to jump off, let alone do multiple flips, rolls and land it,” he said.
The Rugby superstar has been back in the country for almost a month now and is enjoying time to reconnect with family and friends.
“I’m looking forward to having the next few weeks of and spending time with [wife] Skye and reconnecting with family and friends,” he said.
Although he has no immediate plans for what’s next in his Rugby Career, McCutcheon is certain about one thing, Rugby Sevens will be a permanent fixture in the Olympic Games.
“It draws a big crowd and is entertaining to watch! Plus our girls won gold,” he said.