ESTEVAN - Sheila Guenther’s latest experience as an official at an international para swimming event was unlike any other she has had.
The Estevan woman was among those selected to serve at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, and she was in the Japanese city from Aug. 20-Sept. 4. Despite the challenges of being at such a major event during a pandemic, she said it was definitely worthwhile.
“It was an amazing experience,” Guenther told the Mercury. “It was really great that we were able to still have a competition, and that all of the athletes and their teams were able to show what they’ve been working towards for years.”
The people of Tokyo and Japan had great volunteers, and the other international officials were very helpful and wanted to do what they could to make the Games a success.
She was also an official for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, and she has worked at world championships and other international competitions.
Guenther was in Tokyo for the Paralympics. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions, the officials stayed in a hotel rather than in the Olympic Village.
“We were bused back and forth from the hotel to the swimming pool, and because of the restrictions, that’s the only places we were allowed to go,” said Guenther. “It was back and forth, back and forth.”
When she was an official for the 2016 Paralympic Games, she stayed in the Games Village.
It was also tough to not have throngs of spectators for the competitions, but at least the athletes could have their support teams around them, and athletes would cheer on their teammates when they weren’t competing, so some people were present.
And the officials didn’t get to go to the opening and closing ceremonies, because limited numbers were allowed for those spectacles. They also didn’t get to watch any of the other sports during free time.
Everything else went on as usual, said Guenther.
“It was such a fantastic experience to be there and to be able to officiate so that those athletes can compete at the highest level,” said Guenther.
Just working with the other national and international officials was a big plus, she said, and the best part of it is being part of a team.
Officials and athletes coped with the situation well, and did their best to make it a success and stay positive about the situation.
Guenther said she is looking forward to continuing to work as an international official in para swimming moving forward.
