I am back in Brazil. It was a whirlwind turnaround at home
with just enough time to do my washing, check the post and see my family before
repacking and heading back across the Atlantic. I had one week in the UK
followed by a few days in Ireland which hardly warranted the extensive travel
time. I did consider staying for a holiday between the Olympics and Paralympics
but several factors swayed my decision including a close friends wedding.
During my time as an athlete sending an apology to a wedding
invite was easily forgivable, once I retired I felt there was understandably
less sympathy. Last year I hit the worst period missing four weddings in five
weeks due to consecutive work commitments. As I am in the early years of my
media career I can not afford to pick and choose as readily as I might like,
opportunities such as the Olympics only arise every four years.
Regrettably informing a friend that you can not attend their
wedding is one thing, but giving a definitive answer until long after the RSVP
cut off date is even less understandable. This was my situation for last
weekend’s wedding as I knew I was due to start work the following Monday in Rio
De Janeiro and frustratingly the travel arrangements were out of my hands. Just
three weeks prior I discovered my flights were booked from London at 6am and
the wedding was in Ireland the evening before.
A lot of effort, cancellation fees, the personal purchase of
connecting flights from Dublin to Amsterdam and just ninety minutes sleep that
night meant I managed to actually attend my friends big day. I did not regret a
single decision and that was even before I was asked to be a bridesmaid. Thankfully
the dress fitted, I made my flights and I shared a very special day with my friend.
