Australian backstroke swimmer Belinda Hocking has returned to Murrumbateman after competing at her third Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
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The 25 year-old and her family are in the region for the first time since leaving in early August.
Ms Hocking competed in the 200-meter backstroke final where she finished fifth with a time of 2:08.02, about two seconds slower than her personal best.
“I’m a bit disappointed with the result because if I had done my best time, I would’ve scored a medal,” she said.
“I’m happy considering I had shoulder surgery 12 months prior.
“But it’s great to be back to see friends and family, and my dog Milo,” she said.
Hocking credits her parents’ support since junior years, including the move to Canberra where she received a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Sport.
“They’ve been to all three games and they’re my number one supporters since I was 15.
“They’ve had to move heaven and earth for me,” she said.
In qualifying for the Rio games, Ms Hocking edged out world champion Emily Seebohm.
“That was really important to me because I’ve had shoulder surgery and stopped swimming and I didn’t want to just fill a spot.
“It cemented my place and showed that the hard work paid off,” she said.
Hocking will soon prepare for the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in Hungary.
“For now, I’ll spend as much time as possible with the community.
“I always try to do as much as I can with schools and to show kids that they can achieve anything.
“Any schools interested in having me can definitely contact Swimming Australia to arrange visits,” she said.
Asked whether she will train for the 2020 Tokyo Games, Hocking said she’s “learnt to just enjoy the moment first before anything”.
“Quite a lot of people are asking me that actually.
“A lot of life factors get in the way and they change, and while I think Tokyo will host an amazing Olympic, let’s get past the Commonwealth Games first in 2018 and then see what happens,” she said.