Trisa Cheer-Dunn, a swimming coach and technical official, has achieved her long-standing dream of officiating at the Olympic Games, set to take place in Paris in 2024. Known for her presence at various swimming competitions, including club events and national meets, Trisa has dedicated over 15 years to her passion.
As a turn judge and video reviewer during the upcoming Games, Trisa will make history as Fiji’s first female official to participate at the Olympics, following in the footsteps of Dennis Miller, the only other Fijian swimming official to have officiated at an Olympic event.
Expressing her excitement, Trisa stated, “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 experience and staying informed about the ever-changing rules of the sport. “There are always changes on how you march in and out, where you stand and at what time, all those happen behind the scenes,” she added.
Trisa recalls the moment she saw her name on the invitation list from World Aquatics in February. She also had a significant role at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands, showcasing her dedication to the sport.
“What keeps me going in swimming all these years is seeing kids go from learn-to-swim levels to podium level,” she said, highlighting her commitment to coaching. Frustrated with her swimmers facing disqualifications due to rule misunderstandings, she took the initiative to attend technical official workshops to better coach her athletes.
Although Trisa now spends less time coaching, she remains active in organizing competitions and scheduling events. She hopes to see more technical officials joining the ranks for future competitions. Technical officials are categorized by levels—gold, silver, and bronze—and national federations nominate officials for major events based on their experience.
Recently, World Aquatics recommended referees, and Trisa noted that two other officials from Fiji, Amelia Simpson and Susau Elaisa, are also recognized. She encourages former swimmers to become officials, emphasizing their valuable understanding of the sport.
Trisa acknowledged the shortage of officials on the pool deck, especially in roles like stroke judges and turn judges. She pointed out the importance of clubs having volunteers and timekeepers, mentioning the reluctance of some to step up due to the potential for confrontation during disqualifications.
“My advice to upcoming and young officials is to never give up; it’s going to get tough, but keep moving forward,” she concluded.