Rachel Jarry returned home from the Olympics last week with a bronze medal. 85798 Picture: DAMJAM JANEVSKI
By LIAM TWOMEY
SHE left Australia as a rising star but Rachel Jarry has returned a hero.
The Point Cook resident arrived back on home soil last week with the rest of her Opals team-mates and her prized bronze medal hanging proudly around her neck.
Jarry, who was one of the youngest members of the Australian women’s basketball team, described her Olympic experience as amazing.
“You look forward to something for so long and all of a sudden you’re there and then it’s over,” Jarry said.
“It was probably the best two weeks of my life and something that I will cherish forever but having said that I’m glad to be home after being away for a fair while.
“It was a long flight back but it was fun coming home with all the athletes on the same flight. We got into Sydney and had the welcome home ceremony. Now that I’ve just walked into my house and sat down I am a little bit exhausted but I will be very excited to have a sleep later on.”
The 20-year-old played an integral part in the Opals’ Olympic campaign which included eight points and three rebounds from 23 minutes of game time in the bronze medal victory over Russia.
Throughout the tournament she was also a solid contributor with her on-court minutes increasing as her confidence grew.
“For me I just wanted to play my role and I knew that would be a lot about defence and running the floor and that sort of thing,” she said.
“I guess I worked myself into the tournament and I felt I got better as the tournament went on.
“I was just happy to contribute any way I could. That bronze medal game was a big thrill for me and I was really happy to be out there.”
Just making the Olympic team was a huge achievement for Jarry who recovered from an assault in Melbourne’s CBD in the months leading up to London.
While she was competing, her attacker was sentenced to three years in youth detention and Jarry was free to move on from the incident.
Plenty of Olympic highlights to helped, with Jarry citing Belinda Snell’s half court buzzer beater to send game two against France into overtime and good friend Liz Cambage’s slam dunk against Russia as memorable moments.
It was also the first time Jarry had taken to the court with Australian women’s basketball champion Lauren Jackson.
“She has been a hero of mine growing up so it is kind off surreal to be playing with her. I remember trying to get her autograph when I was a little kid,” Jarry said.
“She has got so much experience and she is willing to share it which is really great for us younger girls. I think playing alongside her lifts you as a player and she is such a great person and a great leader for our team.
“It was amazing to play with her.”
Jarry will now take a well-deserved break before beginning pre-season with her WNBL side the Bulleen Boomers.
