For technical officials, participating in the Olympic Games is a significant aspiration, much like it is for athletes. This dream has become a reality for Trisa Cheer-Dunn, a swimming coach and technical official. Known for her dedication at the national aquatic center, Trisa has been a staple at various meets including club competitions, national events, and regional contests.
After 15 years in the field, Trisa has achieved her goal of serving as a technical official at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. She will serve as a turn judge and is also assigned to the video review room during the event. Trisa will be the second Fijian swimming official to officiate at the Olympics, but she holds the distinction of being the first female from Fiji to do so.
Reflecting on this milestone, Trisa expressed her excitement, stating, “It feels unreal. Now I got to tick that off my list.” She emphasized the importance of encouraging more technical officials, highlighting the continuous learning and adaptation required due to regular changes in rules.
Trisa’s journey to this point began when she noticed that many of her swimmers faced disqualifications due to a lack of understanding of the rules. Motivated to help her athletes, she attended a technical official workshop to learn the necessary regulations. Today, she emphasizes to her swimmers that while finishing last is acceptable, avoiding disqualification is paramount.
Though she has reduced her coaching duties, Trisa remains actively involved in officiating, including organizing competitions and managing schedules. She hopes to see a greater number of swimming technical officials in future events, mentioning that officials are categorized into gold, silver, and bronze levels based on their experience.
Recently, World Aquatics has recommended referees, with two other Fijians, Amelia Simpson and Susau Elaisa, receiving nominations as well. Trisa encourages former swimmers to step into officiating roles, noting their familiarity with the sport can be advantageous.
Despite facing challenges, including a shortage of officials and the pressure of dealing with dissatisfied parents and coaches, Trisa advocates for resilience among aspiring officials. “My advice to upcoming and young officials is to never give up; it’s going to get tough but keep moving forward,” she concluded.