Participating in the Olympic Games is a significant aspiration for technical officials, much like it is for athletes. For swimming coach and technical official Trisa Cheer-Dunn, this dream is about to become a reality as she has been selected to officiate at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Trisa, a prominent figure at the national aquatic center, has been involved in swimming meets for over 15 years, contributing her expertise at club competitions, national championships, and regional events. Her achievement of becoming a technical official at the Olympics marks a major milestone not only for herself but also for Fijian swimming, as she is recognized as the first female swimming official from Fiji to reach this level.
In her role at the Games, Trisa will serve as a turn judge and is also assigned to the video review room. She reflects on the overwhelming feelings that accompany this achievement, saying, “It feels unreal. Now I got to tick that off my list.” Trisa emphasizes the importance of experience and encourages more technical officials in Fiji to pursue opportunities in this field. She highlights the constant need for learning due to frequent rule changes and the behind-the-scenes complexities involved in major competitions like the Olympics.
Trisa recalls her excitement upon receiving her invitation from World Aquatics in February, having previously officiated at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Her passion for swimming stems from seeing young swimmers progress from learning to swim to competing at higher levels. Frustrated by the disqualifications of her swimmers due to a lack of knowledge of the rules, she took the initiative to attend workshops to better understand the regulations.
While she may not coach as frequently now, Trisa remains actively involved in various official capacities, including organizing competitions and scheduling events. She aspires to see an increase in the number of technical officials in future games, encouraging former swimmers to use their understanding of the sport to contribute.
World Aquatics has recently recommended officials for various competitions, with two additional Fijians, Amelia Simpson and Susau Elaisa, also making the list. Trisa notes that despite the challenges of officiating, including facing scrutiny from parents and coaches during disqualifications, she encourages upcoming officials to persevere.
“My advice to upcoming and young officials is to never give up; it’s going to get tough but keep moving forward,” she said, reinforcing her commitment to the sport and her hope for a more robust community of officials in Fiji.