For technical officials, much like athletes, participating in the Olympic Games is a significant aspiration. For Trisa Cheer-Dunn, a swimming coach and technical official, this dream is now a reality as she prepares to work at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Trisa, a well-known presence at the national aquatic center during various swimming events, has dedicated over 15 years to her role. She will serve as a turn judge and will also be involved in the video review room during the Olympic Games. Recognized as Fiji’s first female swimming official to participate in the Olympics, she follows in the footsteps of Dennis Miller, who was Fiji’s first technical official at any Olympic event.
Expressing her excitement, Trisa noted, “It feels unreal. Now I got to tick that off my list.” She is passionate about inspiring other technical officials in Fiji, emphasizing the importance of keeping up with rule changes and the unique procedures that come with officiating at the Olympics.
Trisa reflected on her journey, revealing that she first decided to become a technical official after witnessing children being disqualified at competitions due to her lack of understanding of the rules. Attending workshops to learn the rules allowed her to better coach her swimmers and guide them through the competitive process.
Though her coaching duties have diminished, Trisa remains actively involved in organizing competitions and managing event schedules. She hopes to see an increase in technical officials at future games.
In the system of technical officials, there are different levels, including gold, silver, and bronze, and officials must have officiated at two national meets to qualify for international competitions. Recently, World Aquatics has identified referees from Fiji, including Amelia Simpson and Susau Elaisa.
Trisa is eager to encourage more young individuals to join the ranks of technical officials, noting that former swimmers would have a better grasp of the sport. While there have been challenges in attracting volunteers and managing confrontations during events, Trisa advises aspiring officials to persevere, stating, “Never give up, it’s going to get tough but keep moving forward.”