Beckett is ready for a very different Olympic experience
AN Olympic appearance has been a long time coming for lifelong sailing fanatic Micky Beckett.
Three years ago, Beckett found himself in Tokyo for the delayed 2020 Games as a TV producer, but Paris 2024 provides him with that long-awaited chance to take centre stage as one of Team GB’S premier sailors, going for gold in the ICLA 7 event.
“I was advising the director and helping him follow the racing,” Beckett said, reflecting on his Tokyo experience.
“Sailing is obviously quite nuanced and at times complicated as well, so I was helping the broadcast team cover it because I understand the weather, the venue, and particularly the rules.
“That was my job there, which was really cool.
“I’m still really grateful for that experience because it was a lot better than not going to the Olympics at all.
“But obviously this time around, it’s a little bit different. I get my accreditation in a few days, and it should say athlete rather than producer.
“It feels like it’s been a long time coming. Now that it’s just a few weeks ago away, I can stop worrying about all the planning and actually start getting on with it.”
Beckett, of Solva, Pembrokeshire, experienced the eerie atmosphere that encompassed Tokyo 2020, with Covid-19 forcing the Games to be held without the presence of fans.
Added eyes mean added pressure but the Welsh sailor cannot wait to immerse himself in a proper Olympic atmosphere in Marseille, hoping to harness increased support to overcome the difficult conditions that the marina will present.
“It is a big contrast from Tokyo, and I am very excited,” added the 29-year-old.
“Because it’s so close, I keep bumping into people who say, ‘We’ve got tickets, we’re coming down.’ My family’s going to be there, lots of friends are going to be there, as well as the families of my teammates and a lot of my competitors.
“That is quite unusual for sailing to have proper spectators, so it’s something to look forward to. It’ll be really nice.
“I’ve just got to remember what’s important. I think pressure is quite good at making you think that there’s other things that are more important, but the basics don’t change.
“The wind and the weather don’t care that there’s lots of people watching.
“They just do what they do and it’s up to us to read the conditions as best we can and practice the skills that we’ve worked so hard to get good at.
“If I can remember that I’ll be fine.”