Trisa Cheer-Dunn, a swimming coach and technical official, has realized her dream of becoming a technical official at the Olympic Games, specifically the Paris 2024 Olympics. Known for her presence at national aquatic events, Trisa has dedicated over 15 years to her role in the sport. She will serve as a turn judge and will also be involved in the video review room during the Games, marking her as the first female swimming official from Fiji to officiate at the Olympics, following Dennis Miller’s previous representation.
Trisa expressed her excitement, stating, “It feels unreal. Now I got to tick that off my list.” She aims to inspire more technical officials in Fiji, emphasizing the importance of staying updated with the constantly changing rules of swimming. Her journey into officiating began when she noticed her young athletes being disqualified due to a lack of knowledge about the rules, prompting her to attend workshops to learn them.
Although she is no longer coaching as much as she used to, Trisa remains heavily involved in organizational duties, including hosting competitions and managing schedules. She hopes to see an increase in the number of technical officials in future events, noting the different levels of certification available.
Trisa highlighted the importance of recruiting young former swimmers as officials, believing their background gives them a better understanding of the sport. She also acknowledged the need for more volunteers and timekeepers within clubs, encouraging clubs to participate in workshops. While some may be hesitant to take on these roles due to the pressure around disqualifications, Trisa advises new officials to persevere, stating, “It’s going to get tough but keep moving forward.”