Jarrod Poort still thinks of that balmy August day at Copacabana Beach when he almost shocked the world.
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The 22-year-old went out very fast in a bold plan to win gold in the 10km open water marathon at the Rio Olympics.
Poort fell 1500m short of glory but the long-distance swimmer’s daring bravado won worldwide acclaim post-race.
Poort though was feeling mentally and physically exhausted.
Five months down the track and the Shellharbour swimmer still has sleepless nights about the race that got away.
‘’To get so close and lead for so long but finish 20th I think...that was tough to take,’’ Poort said.
‘’It was good everyone realised and appreciated what I tried to do by laying it all out on the line. But, I was overwhelmed and was putting on a brave face. Even now talking about it I’m thinking about the what ifs.’’
Poort took an extended European holiday after Rio to clear his head and reassess his future. A Weekender piece on Poort starts on page 25.
