Taryn was a member of the Gold Medal winning Water Polo Team at the Sydney Olympic Games. She has been a member of the Australian team since 1992. In that time she has competed in four World Cups and two World Championships.
Taryn started playing water polo in her high school team when she was 13 years old. Taryn is currently a School Sport 2000 Ambassador.
Captain Capsicum was very excited when he was told he was on an assignment to interview Taryn as he had never met an Olympic Gold Medal winner in real life. This is what they talked about when they caught up.
Captain
Capsicum:
Hi
Taryn, it's great to meet you. I have a zillion questions to ask, but I will
try and keep it as quick as possible because I know you are a busy woman!
Tell me who has been the toughest team you have ever played against?
Taryn:
We play against a lot of tough
teams. I think that the USA, who we played in the Olympic Final, and Holland
would be two of the toughest teams.
Captain
Capsicum:
The USA are always near the top in most sports, aren't
they!? What about your worst every injury?
Taryn:
I have been very lucky and haven't had any serious sporting injuries. The
worst would probably be a couple of sprained fingers that I hurt trying to
stop another girl from scoring a goal.
Captain
Capsicum:
Geez, you have been lucky! What do you think has been
your biggest achievement in Water Polo?
Taryn:
My biggest achievement would definitely be winning the gold medal at the Sydney
Olympics.
Captain
Capsicum:
Yes I guess you can't get much better than that! I can't
believe you have an Olympic Gold Medal. Do you just stare at it all the time?
Where do you keep it?
Taryn:
I can't believe I have an Olympic Gold Medal either! I don't stare at it all
the time, but it is nice sometimes to get it out and have a look and remember
how fantastic it was. I keep my medal under my bed, I feel like it is safe
there.
Captain
Capsicum:
Wow! That must just be the best! Have you ever had a losing streak?
Taryn:
Yes, everybody has losing streaks. As much as we would like to win all the
time, it doesn't happen like that. As long as you have tried your best, it
doesn't really matter.
Captain
Capsicum:
And how do you overcome these bad times?
Taryn:
When things aren't going well, I go back to training and concentrate on the
basic things. If I make sure that I'm doing them properly the harder things
will come naturally. Don't let things keep you down, train hard but make sure
that you enjoy it. If you are enjoying your training then things will improve.
Captain
Capsicum:
So tell me Taryn, what are your favourite fruits?
Taryn:
I like lots of fruits, so fruit salads are my favourite. Mangos and Watermelon
would have to be at the top of my list though. I also love banana smoothies
so I eat a lot of bananas too.
Captain
Capsicum:
Mmmmm.
Smoothies are great because they're quick, full of energy and calcium, but
low in fat. So what are your favourite vegetables?
Taryn:
Broccoli is my favourite vegetable in my dinner. Either plain or in a stir-fry.
Corn is my other favourite. Corn on the cob is great, and I put corn in just
about everything I cook.
Captain
Capsicum:
What
about capsicum? Oh well, what is your favourite food in general?
Taryn:
My favourite is sushi or Thai food with lots of vegetables in it. There's
always lots of capsicum in Thai food!
Captain
Capsicum:
That's
true. I love Thai food also. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Taryn:
I like to go to the movies with my friends. When it is hot and sunny I go
to the beach, but I have to make sure that I wear lots of sunscreen and a
hat.
Captain
Capsicum:
Yes,
you've got to look after yourself. Who do you rate as your hero?
Taryn:
Well, you're a bit of a super hero Captain Capsicum, aren't you, but I think
that Susie O'Neill is amazing. She was such a great swimmer and a great person.
Captain
Capsicum:
I like Susie too, and Ian Thorpe. We have just so many
fantastic athletes in Australia. Do you have any nicknames?
Taryn:
My nickname is Taz. It's just my name shortened, but people think it's after
the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character. Do you have a nick name?
Captain
Capsicum:
Yes
my nick name is CC. Maybe people think it's after the Tasmanian Devil cartoon
character because you can be a bit of a devil! What do you think is the best
thing about playing sport?
Taryn:
You get to make lots of friends which makes sport fun. Doing exercise makes
you feel good. So you have fun and feel good.
Captain
Capsicum:
What
about your favourite motto?
Taryn:
The sky is the limit.
Captain
Capsicum:
It
sure is. Finally, what was the best thing about playing in the Sydney Olympic
Games?
Taryn:
This was the first time that that women's water polo was in the Olympics,
we were playing in front of a home crowd with all my family and friends watching,
and we actually won the gold medal. These three things together made it mad!
Captain
Capsicum:
Well thanks a bunch for your time today Taryn. On behalf
of all of the F & V Gang, I hope that your water polo career continues in
the same way as it has been going and we can't wait to be cheering for you
at the next Olympics in Athens!
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