THE return of the European Games this week has flown largely under the radar for many but for Sally Conway it represents an important staging post in the journey towards what she hopes will be another medal-winning Olympic appearance.
The Edinburgh-based judoka has Tokyo 2020 forever at the back of her mind but knows she can’t idly daydream about adding to the bronze she won in Rio while there are other more pressing commitments to attend to.
A busy schedule sees her head next for Minsk to compete in the multi-sport event that, for judo, also doubles as this year’s European Championships.
The European Games may not have generated the sort of buzz that tends to surround other similar sporting jamboree, but Conway competed in the inaugural one in Baku in 2015 and is looking forward to taking part in the second edition, too. And she believes that the new competition will only get bigger and better as time goes on.
“It’s still very new as a competition so it’s maybe not as well known yet as, say, the Commonwealth Games,” she says. “Everyone knows what that is. But even just the name, the
European Games, tells you it’s quite a significant event.
“It also still feels special as it’s only the second one and it’s nice to be a part of it again after being in Baku four years ago.
“Usually when we go to compete we’re fighting just for British Judo. But this time we’re going as Team GB and it feels like you’re part of something bigger.
“So when athletes from other sports are preparing for their events you’re getting behind them too and wanting them to do well, and vice-versa.
“It will be nice to see people you only really see at the Olympics or once in a while at an event like this. That makes it feel more special.”
Even in the midst of looking to improve on the European silver she won last year, the 32-year-old will be thinking about Tokyo.
“It gives you the chance to put things into practise ahead of the Olympics next year; the opening
ceremony, the fight days, the same environment around the village.
“So it’s helpful just getting used to that again. There are certain things you want to try before going out to
the Olympics next year. We’re now into the final year of Olympic
qualification so every point we pick up between now and April or May count.
“Everything we do from here
on will be vital in making it to
Tokyo.”
She will be in the Japanese capital even before next year, however.
This year’s judo world championships in August will return to their spiritual home for the first time in nine years, an experience that Conway admits sends a tingle down her spine.
“It’s really special doing judo in Japan,” she says. “I love going out there even to train as you can go to any university or company and there will be loads of girls to practise against. And just to be competing at the home of judo means a lot.
“They always put on a good show with a great atmosphere and the supporters all know what they’re looking for in the contests. They’ve got a great knowledge of the sport. It’s an honour to compete in front of them. Judo is in their DNA.
“We’re going to be competing in the same venue as the Olympics next year so it will be great to experience that. It’s good to get familiarised and get your whereabouts sorted for going back again, as well as concentrating on the event in front of you, of course.”
Conway is a role model for aspiring young female judokas, being an ambassador for the Judo Girls Rock programme. She believes having people to look up to is vital for the growth of any sport.
“More and more girls are getting involved in judo and from the bits and pieces I see on Twitter they seem to be having a good time, which is important,” she adds. “Hopefully when girls learn their friends are doing judo then they might want to give it a try.
“And then next time they might take another friend along. It kind of grows like that.
“It’s so important for them to have strong female role models to look up to as well. When you’re a young girl and you look at the TV and see other girls performing and reaching their goals then that can only be a positive influence.
“Hopefully it gives the next gener-ation the confidence to believe in themselves too.”
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