3, 2 1…
Three Olympic Appearances
Twice As A Player
Once As A Coach
The Australian Badminton team is in Paris, taking on the world’s best at the most prestigious sporting event, the Olympic Games. Three players have featured, in women’s singles and women’s doubles. Leanne Choo, Australia’s head coach is attending her third Olympic Games. The first two were as a player in 2012 (London) and then 2016 (Rio). Leanne took some time out from her games itinerary to chat about ‘then and now’, an all-female team and the differences between a player and a coach.
Coming from a background as an Olympic player, what can you take into the Paris Olympics to help you with your role as a coach for your players?
As I sit and type up these answers in our Australian Headquarters in the athlete’s village, the atmosphere of being at the Olympics feels very familiar. I’m fortunate to have experienced two Olympic Games, which not only provides me with valuable experience and knowledge to share with the players but also helps me stay grounded and not feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the event. My experience has helped me to anticipate and prepare for the unexpected challenges that the athletes might encounter on and off the court and I hope I can pass on this knowledge successfully and help them prepare the best that they can.
Now that you have been in both positions, what is more demanding, the role of the player or the role of the coach?
The demands of being a player and a coach are very different. As a player, the physical demands are intense, requiring peak physical conditioning and performance. In contrast, as a coach, the challenges are more mental. You need to stay constantly focused and work to remove any barriers so the athletes can perform at their best. This includes planning, being on the court with the players, analysing their performance, identifying areas for improvement, and overseeing the overall program. As a coach, you’re managing a lot of moving parts to ensure everything runs smoothly. I have a lot more empathy for coaches now that I’m in this role! More than I did as a player!
What is one thing you are looking forward to the most at the Paris Olympics?
Coaching the players at the biggest sporting event in the world is incredibly exciting and obviously something I am looking forward to. But I’m also looking forward to being part of the Australian Team and supporting other coaches and athletes. The spirit of sport in Australia is unmatched, and I love wearing the green and gold, seeing the entire nation rally behind our athletes.
Have the training and playing techniques changed in the years since the Rio Olympics in 2016?
The game has evolved, along with advancements in sports science. This evolution is evident in every aspect—physical, tactical, technical, and mental. As a result, the competition has become much tighter, with no single player or pair dominating as they might have in the past. Other countries are catching up, making the sport more competitive than ever.
How special is it to have an all-female team in 2024?
It’s incredibly special. I feel very proud and fortunate as Badminton Australia’s first female coach to lead an all-female team. Additionally, for the first time, the entire Australian Team has more female athletes than male athletes, with 256 women and 204 men. This milestone reflects a significant shift and is a proud moment for gender representation in sports.
Photo Credit: Badminton Photo (Yohan Nonette)
