Kim Pham
26 July 2016: After missing out on refereeing at the 2012 London Olympics due to injury, physiotherapist and football assistant referee Allyson Flynn said she was "relieved and grateful" to be called up for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"Once the official paperwork arrived, I was excited, relieved and really grateful to see my name on the list to go to Rio," she said.
"I've officiated at the World Cup before but this will be the first time going to a multisport event. It will definitely have a different feel to other events I've been to."
-
University of Canberra physiotherapist Allyson Flynn is the only Australian male or female football referee officiating at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Kim Pham.
Flynn is a physiotherapy clinical educator at the University of Canberra and the only Australian official travelling to Rio for football refereeing. She will join three other match officials on the pitch with each game requiring a referee, two assistant referees on the sideline with the flags and fourth official to manage the technical areas.
The 34-year-old was selected to referee at the London Olympics but was forced to withdraw because of a stress fracture. She decided to leave nothing to chance when it came to her preparation for Rio, with her training including two gym sessions, two high intensity running sessions and a technical training session a week.
"I learnt some lessons from the first injury I sustained in 2012 which I could use to help in my preparation this time around. I've modified my training and I've had a smooth run since then," she said.
"As an athlete you sometimes learn more from your disappointments than from your successes."
Flynn started refereeing football in 2000 and has been named on the international referees list since 2006. Recently, she officiated at the 2011 and 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"There are many things I enjoy about refereeing including the friendships I have made, the opportunity to travel, and the challenge of officiating at the highest level. The great thing about football is it is truly a world game for all," she said.
The Rio Olympics start on 5 August.
Read more about some of UC Olympic Games and Paralympic Games representatives:
Gracie gears up for Olympic debut
Roberts returns for second Olympics
