Sami Kennedy-Sim’s skiing career is defined by her remarkable comeback from a stroke to reach three Olympic Games.
But as the 33-year-old Australian mulls over retirement ahead of what’s potentially her final Olympic campaign, she has a burning hunger to clinch a medal and forever be remembered for that.
Almost nine years after a blood clot in her left leg triggered a stroke that required heart surgery, Kennedy-Sim will tomorrow compete in her third Olympic Games as she hits the Beijing slopes for the women’s ski cross.
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The Jindabyne product admits gunning for a podium finish “is terrifying to say out loud”, but after picking up 28th at the 2014 Olympics and eighth at the 2018 Games she believes winning a medal is feasible.
“Olympic podium – that’s what I’m going for. It’s terrifying to say out loud in case you come short, but you have to put it out there,” Kennedy-Sim told Wide World of Sports.
“I believe and my team believes, and that would be just incredible.
“I’m not 100 per cent (sure) that I will retire. My body is feeling like it needs me to retire.
“I think it would feel incredible (to win a medal). I mean, words probably can’t describe (the feeling). I’ve imagined that moment so many times and I still don’t know what I would say … It’s quite an overwhelming feeling.
“What I would hope comes out of it would be to paint a picture of resilience and to show that your adversities don’t have to be your only story.
“I’ve been the girl that had a stroke for the last eight years. I want to be the girl that won a medal.”
Kennedy-Sim’s physical health took another tumble when she dislocated an elbow in December 2020, and a back injury followed about 12 months later.
Those two setbacks not only sidelined the veteran skier from crucial competition; they struck fear into her mind.
“I’ve been really stressed about getting hurt before the Olympics,” Kennedy-Sim said.
“When the goal is February I was doing as much as I could to perform safely, (but) when you’re trying to perform safely you’re not going to be on top of the podium. The competition’s just too good.”
But Kennedy-Sim, whose confidence is buoyed by a host of podium and top-10 finishes throughout her career, sees a positive in her plagued injury run.
“I’m not back to where I would like to be physically, but I’m lucky I don’t need my elbow that much in ski cross,” Kennedy-Sim said.
“So, in terms of me actually doing my skill on snow (I’m not hindered).”
The time has come for the tenacious Australian to show just that as she buckles up her skis in Beijing.
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