Making a champion
Jenna Strauch knows the high pressure of an Olympic Games. Here's how she's preparing for the possibility of Paris 2024
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Jenna Strauch’s childhood dreams came true at the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide where her results in the 200m breaststroke secured her a spot at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But Covid restrictions meant she couldn’t share the win with her family and support network. The Bond alumna is hoping to recreate the moment at this week’s Olympic trials — this time with her favourite people by her side. Strauch is now in contention for the Dolphin's breaststroke leg of the 4x100m medley at the Paris 2024 Olympics after winning the Women’s 100m breaststroke on June 11. Her main event — the 200m breaststroke — is scheduled for Friday. She spoke to us about her journey ahead of the trials in Brisbane.
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Q: You took gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Australian National Championships in April. Did that give you confidence heading into the Olympic trials?
A: I am feeling confident, but Olympic trials are pretty unique and that was eight weeks ago so a lot can change. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do and where my best efforts land me.
We only have Olympic trials once every four years, so there's more pressure around it. All our training over the last three years, since the last Olympics, has been leading up to this point. 
Q: You competed at Tokyo 2020 in the 200m breaststroke. How did it feel when you realised you had qualified for the Olympics?
A: It was incredible, I will remember that forever. We were coming out of Covid, so unfortunately not all my family could get to Adelaide for the trials. It was a childhood dream to make it to an Olympics and feeling that become a reality for the first time was super special but we have so many people come on that journey with us, especially our family and friends, so I'm grateful this time around, they can be there to celebrate if I make the team.
All our training over the last three years, since the last Olympics, has been leading up to this point. 
— Jenna Strauch
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Q: Is there anything you learned from your first Olympics experience that you will take to Paris 2024?
A: The Olympic experience is something I could only imagine and it wasn't until I was there that I realised what it's actually like, the huge scope of the event, how many different sports are involved, the pressure, and the excitement. I will go into my second Olympics with more experience in how to manage those smaller things.
Q: What does it mean to you to have another chance to represent your country at the Olympics?
A: It would be an absolute privilege. Any chance to represent your country is an honour, but especially at another Olympic games and in swimming where we have such a strong legacy of performing well. To be a part of history and build legacy around our sport is something we're all very proud of.
Q: You've had to overcome some hurdles in your career, including illness after the 2013 Junior World Championships. Was there ever a moment where you thought you might give swimming away?
A: When I was sick, I started to wonder why I was doing it and whether I should be investing my time into something else. But I really wanted to see how far I could get myself in swimming and enjoy the process — which I have so far. Every athlete faces adversity and challenges and it's what I’ve learnt from those experiences that makes me a better athlete.
I spent a lot of time working on my mental resilience and finding ways to get myself in the most optimal position possible, to persist and build determination. Those traits continue to develop the longer you’re in a high-performance sport.
Q: Is there something in particular that inspires you to keep getting back in the pool?
A: It’s about pushing myself and finding out my limits more than anything. And I love to compete. It's so great when you can go to international meets and there are different people from across the world and you're all training just as hard to achieve the same thing. It's an exciting thing to be part of.
Q: You mentioned resilience and persistence as key in high-performance sports. Are there any other qualities you think make a champion?
A: What I have found to be extremely valuable as an athlete is the ability to take on feedback. You’ve always got to be open to new ways to improve and those small things that can make a difference to your performance.
Q: You studied a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Bond University. Do you know what you might want to do after your swimming career?
A: I'm currently working part-time, outside of my swimming, as a health consultant for a consultancy firm. Post swimming, I think that’s where I will lead myself. I like the new challenge and having something to escape to outside of training.