Olympian inspires local sports people

Kiwi Olympic sailboard gold medallist Barbara Kendall has been inspiring local athletes and coaches this week through a series of meetings at the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee.

Kendall has been running motivational talks to inspire athletes, coaches and sports administrators to be the best they can be, with another round of talks scheduled for tonight.

Tonight’s talk with Kendall starts at 6pm and CISNOC sports manager Robert Graham says he has been blown away with her presentation.

He adds that a number of other sports administrators at Kendall’s presentation commented that they took away valuable lessons and tips to improve on their own work in the sports community.

Kendall has a special relationship with the Cook Islands sports community and wears a number of sporting hats.

Apart from being an elite athlete herself – Kendall is an International Olympic Committee member, a member on the sports and environment unit of IOC, and chairperson of the Oceania athlete’s commission.

Kendall has also been appointed to the committee looking at country bids for the 2020 Olympics.

On Thursday night Kendall will be the guest speaker at the Celebrate Sailing 2012 function at the Ngatangiia Sports Clubrooms.

She will share stories of her time as an elite athlete and hopefully inspire local sailors Taua Elisa and Helema Williams preparing for the final Olympic qualifying regatta in Germany next month.