Gentle set for Olympic redemption at Commonwealth Games

The soul-searching that followed Gentle’s 26th-place finish in Rio led her to uncover a number of hard truths and she quickly went to work to ensure there would never be a repeat of the disappointment she felt in Rio. 

Gentle packed her bags and made the move to Wollongong, linking up with renowned coach Jamie Turner.

The move paid instant dividends.

2017 was Gentle’s best season, with a breakthrough ITU World Cup victory coming in Montreal, alongside three second-place finishes and a third.

“At first I was pretty unmovtivated to do anything after Rio,” Gentle said. “It wasn’t the best time in my career. But it also made me make the change to Jamie, so maybe it was all meant to happen. I don’t want to experience that disappointment of Rio again. In hindsight there were some things I wish I had done differently, but I also don’t regret it because it’s helped me get to where I am today. 

“I made the move to Jamie and the squad down in Wollongong at the start of last year and I have zero regrets. It was something I felt I needed at the end of 2016.

“I feel I owe a lot to Jamie for taking me to the next level and helping me move forward and actually help me start believing I can be competitive against the best in the world.” 

On Thursday, Gentle will return to where her career began, the streets of the Gold Coast, and aim to prove she has put the demons of Rio to bed. To do so, though, the 27-year-old will have to take on the best in the world in the form of Bermudan Flora Duffy.

Gentle became the first, and only, woman to defeat Duffy in an ITU race in 2017 when she won in Montreal, and she takes confidence from a string of recent performances in high-pressure races.

“Montreal was my first ever World Cup win, I had a lot of second places but it was definitely a breakthrough. Even last year at the Gold Coast World Cup event, where I was able to come second and qualify automatically for the Games was a highlight. I set out to get that spot and I achieved it.

“It was a race where I didn’t win, but there were also some I did win. 2017 was a culmination of different results and I’m happy with the way I grew and learnt a lot through the year.” 

That confidence to match it with the world’s best is something that was missing in Rio and Gentle credits Turner for helping to instill a belief she belongs among the sport’s elite.

“Part of Jamie’s program is not just the physical work we do, which I find extremely tough, but he also tries to encompass mental and psychological well-being. I had a lot to learn, and still have a lot to learn, in those areas. It’s not just physical; mental and psychological fitness are massive factors in triathlon.”

Even if Gentle doesn’t overcome Duffy on Thursday morning, she will walk away pleased if she’s able to do what she couldn’t do in Rio, execute her race plan.

“Despite what result there is on Thursday, I know that I’ve done the best I can do in preparation. Yeah I would love to win and get a medal, but if I can execute the race I know I’ve prepared for, I’ll be really satisfied and it will put Rio to bed for sure.”