Three-time Olympic water polo athlete Rhys Howden says that while he has some personal concerns about the health risks of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, he has confidence in the Australian Olympic Committee's measures and decision-making when it comes to protecting athletes.
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Howden, who first represented Australia in Olympic competition at the 2008 games in Beijing, said that the AOC had debriefed the athletes on the best ways to avoid the risk of Covid, and has also given AOC staff and athletes access to the vaccine if they elect to get the jab prior to travelling to Japan.
"We are under the discretion of the AOC and we've got full confidence that they're not going to put us in too much of a risk," Howden said.
"While Covid's around, we have to just do the best we can and follow the advice we're given to minimise the chances of us getting it."
Public approval levels for the decision to let the games go ahead aren't good reading for the IOC or the Japanese government, with a poll finding that over 60 per cent of the Japanese public believes the games should be postponed or cancelled.
Howden said the team was full of confidence heading into Tokyo and was aiming for an elusive gold medal, but at the same time was aware of the size of the task they face on the road to the podium.
"I know how hard it is with water polo or with any sport. It's so difficult to even make the podium, so to get up there would be a massive achievement for us," he said.
"Preparations are ramping up now and the team's feeling confident, and we can't wait to get over there."
Howden attended school at Canberra's Lake Ginnindera College on a scholarship from the AIS, and was recently invited back by his high school to sign his poster in the school's Hall of Fame. He also spoke to current student athletes about his time at the school and shared his story of success.
The school has a rich history when it comes to Olympic athletes, with Boomers stars Patty Mills and Andrew Bogut, Olyroo legends Mark Viduka and Brett Emerton, Opal Liz Cambage and current Olympic athlete Kelsey-Lee Barber just some of the names that Howden features alongside on the Hall of Fame wall.
The 34-year-old is hoping to secure a spot in his fourth consecutive Olympic Games and once again represent the Aussie Sharks when the competition kicks off in 51 days' time.
