From above, the planet seems to be the only destination. Without boundaries, without divisions. From the ones who see from the top, familiar place to Emma Snowsill, current Triathlon Olympic champion, it is possible that the world would be only one.

“The beauty of the Olympic Games is that they can make the world seem small and unified by the sport”, says the Australian, three times champion and one of the more awarded athletes in the sport, to the Rio 2016 official website.

Snowsill still pursues a place in London 2012, where she intends to be the first triathlete to defend a title. In Beijing 2008, she won the gold after two silver medals of her country in two participations of Triathlon in the Olympic Programme: with Michellie Jones, when the sport debuted in Sydney 2000, and with Loretta Harrop, in Athens 2004.

In 2016, at 35 years old, she doesn’t know if she will compete in Rio, but her presence is guaranteed in the first Games to take place in South America. Check out the interview by e-mail:

Australia hosted the 2000 edition of the Olympic Games. In your opinion, what were the legacies left by the Games? What does make hosting the Games worth and what did the Australian sport win in Sydney 2000?

The infrastructure that is put in place to host Olympics far out lives the 2 weeks after the Games have ceased. It means the rest of the country is able to benefit by being privileged to use world class sporting facilities from competition to a recreational level. The village is transformed into housing and public transport systems have an opportunity to improve their efficiency after such a huge influx of people decent on the city. It certainly then gives opportunity to future rising stars within the country, but also to showcase to the rest of the world what a wonderful tourist destination it could also be after the Olympics are over.

In three editions of Triathlon in the Olympic Games, Australia and New Zealand were on almost every women’s and men’s podium. Where does this passion for the sport in Oceania come from?

Definitely our climate gives us the opportunity to be outdoors a lot more than other areas of the world. Therefore sport becomes a part of your life from an early age and we are definitely always encouraged as we grow up to make it a part of our life. We are also fortunate to have an abundance of facilities and networks for anyone who wants to make sport their life. It creates a competitive atmosphere from an early age and I think it drives our passion to be the best.

You practice Triathlon since you were 16 years old, but before that, you have practiced different sports. What does distinguish a good Triathlon athlete from a good Football, Boxing, Rowing or any other high-level athlete in other sports?

It all comes down to what you love. Everyone has talent to some degree and there are many people who could play other sports other than the ones they excel at. Lots of sport require more skill than a triathlete, but many footballers wouldn’t enjoy the amount of aerobic training we need to do for our 3 disciplines.

In Beijing 2008, you won a historical title. What can you say about the preparation, the expectation and the days before the competition?

The biggest expectation any athlete has is the one they put on themselves. My initial expectations were to perform above and beyond what I had ever done before in order to prepare for the biggest race of my life. Though a few weeks out I was forced to change my ‘ideal’ preparation because I had over-trained. This really made me realise that I had to approach the race like I had any other and remind myself that I was still going out to do the basic disciplines I practised day in day out. This really made me relax and enjoy the whole Olympic experience and a gold medal was purely the result of all the years of hard work I had put in.

You were in the first peloton in the swimming and cycling courses, and you have sped up in the running course, giving no chance to the opponents in Beijing 2008. What can you tell about that two hours that led you to the Olympic gold?

I really lived each moment of that race from minute to minute and never thought about the result. I was always prepared for whatever may have been presented to me and reminded myself that I could only take control of my race and not to worry about anyone else’s. By the time it came down to the run I purely told myself that I had nothing to lose and all I wanted to walk away from the Olympic Games was giving everything I had.

There are enormous expectations for London, and you have the chance to be the first Olympic champion to defend your title. What differences do you already perceive between Beijing 2008 and London 2012, including the moment of your career, the competition course and the expectations?

I believe you are only as good as your next race and for me making the Australian Team to compete in London is the next step. If I am fortunate to be able to compete there, then it would be very unique to be a defending champion, but this is not something I think about. I would have to prepare for the race conditions differently to Beijing as there is the possibility it could be a lot colder than China and the course is very different as well. Again, my biggest expectations will be the one I put on myself.

In 2016, the Olympic Games arrive to a new continent. They will be held for the first time in South America. How can the victory of Brazil contribute to the world of sport and to the Olympic Movement?

The beauty of the Olympics is that it can make the world feel so small and unified through sport. I think for Brazil it will be what the Olympics leave behind. Hopefully to inspire, educate and have the facilities for many South Americans to live a life with sport.

In Rio 2016, you will be at 35 years old, still in shape. Will you compete in Brazil?

I will certainly be enjoying the festivities of the Olympics in Rio in some form or another. Whether my toes will be on the start line is something else.