“My dad says, ‘You don’t need me as a coach. I’m just here to carry your bags'”

SEONAID

As a movie buff who has spent countless hours watching and analyzing biopics, I found the story of Seonaid and her father Donald to be incredibly inspiring. Their journey into the world of Olympic shooting is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and the unbreakable bond between a father and his children.

Growing up with parents who were dedicated athletes, I often found myself traveling around the country as they competed and trained. My mom, Shirley, even managed to win an impressive four medals at the Commonwealth Games. And then there was my older sister Jennifer, who also became an Olympian. But as a kid, I couldn’t help but feel restless and bored during these long journeys. The ranges we visited were always cold and unfamiliar, and I yearned for something more exciting than yet another training session.

Growing up, I engaged in tennis and gymnastics as my preferred activities. I discovered immense joy in being a drummer for a pipe band, leading me to believe this was my calling. My parents were ever encouraging, assuring me, “Pursue shooting if it appeals to you, but never feel pressured to do so simply because of our past.”

I can relate to not being involved in the most financially rewarding sport in the world. Growing up, my mum put in countless hours of dedication and hard work to ensure that Jennifer and I received a top-notch education. Her sacrifices were immense, and I’m deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment to our future. It wasn’t easy, but she persevered through challenging times to give us the best possible start in life.

From the outset of my marksmanship journey, I found myself playing catch-up and aiming to surpass Jen. Our competition fueled a healthy rivalry between us. It’s beneficial to have a worthy opponent. I managed to shatter some of her previously established records.

I have rheumatoid arthritis – the fear of a flare-up is constant

Since 2016, my father has served as my dedicated coach. I’m deeply appreciative of his support and efforts on my behalf. He’s driven me across the country numerous times, and my competition gear takes up an entire 28kg suitcase. My dad humbly insists that his role is merely to transport my belongings. “I’m not essential as your coach,” he says. “I’m here solely to help you with your bags.”

In contrast to the majority of British club shooting, which is characterized by grey monotone settings and predominantly older male participants, Olympic-style air rifle shooting presents a vibrant and distinctive scene. The female competitors often outshine their male counterparts in this sport, making it all the more exhilarating.

At the age of 17, I received a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The condition initially affected my toes, but it was primarily my knees that caused me issues. I found it challenging to straighten or bend my legs fully and placing any weight on them was painful. This impediment disrupted several competitions for me. Subsequently, the condition spread to my wrist, making it impossible for me to shoot accurately. Even though my leg problems allowed me to continue shooting while lying down, the fear of experiencing a flare-up at an inopportune moment persisted.

In the year 2019, I too received a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, which leaves me feeling drained. I’m constantly on edge about my diet, fretting over whether what I eat might trigger a flare-up. I make an effort to maintain a balanced meal plan with protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. However, I have a weakness for mint chocolate chip ice cream.

When I’m feeling under the weather and down in the dumps, my dad is always there to provide comfort with a warm hug. At other times, when I need an extra push, he doesn’t hesitate to give me a gentle nudge and encourage me to keep going. And on those days when things don’t go as planned in competitions, having my father by my side to offer a shoulder to cry on is the best feeling in the world.

In the past year, my loving boyfriend Grant acquired a plush duck toy for me which I affectionately named Ducky. Due to my surgery and frequent medical check-ups, this duck has served as an emotional comfort to me during my challenging times. My mental health had taken a hit due to the Covid pandemic, and my health situation had reached an all-time low. Nevertheless, I persevered despite the strong urge to give up. I continue to press on, determined to overcome these hurdles.

In 2017, I colored my hair blue for the first time, an achievement that came along with winning my initial senior medal. Since then, I’ve managed to secure a medal every year. Consequently, I can no longer consider getting rid of this lucky shade – currently, I’m sporting a blue extension ponytail, and come the Olympics, I’ll still have my blue hair!

DONALD

I was raised in Elgin, a place where my father became a member of a nearby shooting club for leisure. Later on, I pursued higher education at the University of Edinburgh, renowned as the top destination in Britain for aspiring rifle shooters. Currently, Seonaid is honing her skills there, and I’ve returned to work in the same office where I first met my wife Shirley over three decades ago.

Seonaid had no interest in shooting for a long period of time. Her older sister Jennifer, who competed in the 2012 Olympics, was the one passionate about it. One day, they went to watch the Olympics as spectators, and this was Seonaid’s first introduction to the grandeur of Olympic shooting. Intrigued, she asked if she could give it a try once they returned home. To everyone’s surprise, including Jennifer’s, Seonaid proved to be a natural. However, it wasn’t always easy for Jennifer when Seonaid began outperforming her.

We didn’t try to influence either of them into taking aim. Yet, it’s been an immense pleasure working with my kids. It’s a complex situation since the roles of father and coach overlap, making it far from typical coach-athlete dynamics.

Observing Seonaid compete can be quite nerve-wracking for me. I sit there, jotting down each shot’s details – its direction and the current score. Often, I have earphones in, playing classic rock tunes randomly to help keep my composure.

The lines are blurred between father and coach, so it’s not a standard coach/athlete relationship by any means

Seonaid endured the majority of the 2016 season being sideline due to arthritis acting up. She’s gone through quite an ordeal with that. I’m continually impressed by her willingness to discuss it openly. It’s tough for a parent to watch their child experience pain and hardships.

To ensure optimal performance for the Olympics, I brought Seonaid’s air rifle and smaller rifle to the Italian manufacturers for maintenance. Each rifle varies, and so does every batch of ammunition. With such small differences, like 0.2mm, between a medal-winning shot and no medal at all, it is crucial to devote ample time to thorough testing.

Shirley and I cherished the dream of participating in the Olympics, yet it remained an unattainable goal for us. At times, it seems natural to us that not only one, but both our daughters have become Olympians – this is the reality we’ve found ourselves immersed in. However, there are moments when I’m taken aback and ask myself, “Really? How did our daughters end up being Olympians?”

On Saturday, 27th July, Seonaid will participate in the 10-meter mixed team air rifle competition. From Sunday, 28th July, through to Thursday, 1st August, she will compete in the individual events: the 10-meter air rifle and the 50-meter rifle three positions.

2024-07-26 16:06

“My dad says, ‘You don’t need me as a coach. I’m just here to carry your bags’”

SEONAID

DONALD

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