Participating in the Olympic Games is a significant aspiration for technical officials, just like for athletes. This dream has recently been realized for Trisa Cheer-Dunn, a swimming coach and technical official. Trisa is a familiar presence at Fiji’s national aquatic center, attending various swimming competitions including club contests, national events, and regional meets.
After dedicating more than 15 years to her role, she has achieved her goal of becoming a technical official for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In her capacity, she will serve as a turn judge and will also be assigned to the video review room during the event. Notably, Trisa will be the first female swimming official from Fiji to officiate at the Olympics, following Dennis Miller, who was the first Fijian swimming technical official at these games.
Expressing her excitement, Trisa said, “It feels unreal. Now I got to tick that off my list.” She encouraged more technical officials from Fiji to pursue similar paths, stressing the importance of experience and staying updated on frequently changing rules.
She noted the numerous behind-the-scenes changes that take place during the Olympics, referring to logistics such as entrance and exit procedures. Upon receiving the invitation from World Aquatics in February, she confirmed her selection multiple times. Trisa was also involved as a technical official at the 2023 Pacific Games held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, in December.
Her passion for the sport drives her, particularly witnessing young swimmers progress from beginner levels to podium placements. “It’s not about being an elite swimmer. I became an official because I witnessed kids getting disqualified due to a lack of knowledge about the rules,” she shared.
To ensure her swimmers avoided disqualifications, Trisa attended a technical official workshop to learn the necessary regulations. “The first thing I tell them at competitions is that I don’t care if you finish last, but don’t get disqualified. Once you avoid disqualification, we can focus on improving your speed,” she added, explaining her motivation for becoming an official.
Although her coaching role is not as prominent now, Trisa is heavily involved in organizing competitions and managing event schedules. She aspires to see an increase in the number of technical officials at future events.
World Aquatics has recently begun recommending referees based on a list, and two other Fijians—Amelia Simpson and Susau Elaisa—are also listed for officiating roles. Trisa remarked on the necessity of recruiting younger officials, particularly former swimmers who possess a deeper understanding of the sport.
“Despite our invitations to World Championship meets from World Aquatics, we face a shortage of stroke judges and turn judges. Each club must have volunteers and timekeepers, and while we have conducted several workshops, there is still hesitance among clubs to engage,” she explained.
Facing criticism from parents and coaches during competitions can be daunting, but Trisa emphasized resilience: “My advice to aspiring young officials is to never give up; it will get tough, but keep pushing forward.”