Olympic golfer returns from Rio disappointed

Fabienne In-Albon from Oberägeri represented Switzerland in the golf championships at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and returned home earlier this week. She was disappointed with her performance, coming 57^th out of 59, but is already looking forward to Tokyo in 2020.
 
Before returning home she was interviewed by a journalist of the Neue Zuger Zeitung.
“Although I was in good mental and physical form, I could just not translate this into performance,” admitted the 29-year-old.
 
Was she able to feel what was known as the “Olympic spirit”?
“Very much so. I remember it on the very first day when I was very nervous. I noticed it even when placing the ball on the tee and thinking to myself, “I just hope I hit it”. However, it is just this nervousness which is needed.”
 
When asked whether she felt it right that golf featured in the Olympic Games for the first time in 112 years, In-Arbon felt it most definitely was. Being able to take part in the games herself was the fulfilment of a childhood dream. “I remember the pride I felt at the opening ceremony walking into the stadium with the Swiss cross on my top. It was the same with the closing ceremony, too,” she recalled.
 
When it was put to her that, with her direct and cheerful demeanour, she did not really fit into what people’s image of golfers was, she said she recognised that it was regarded as an elitist sport and therefore that it was only right to be given the opportunity to show it was not. “Many people think we are driven around in buggies all the time; they do not realise we spend up to five hours walking at each game,” she said
 
During her time at the games she was frequently asked to appear in a “selfie” or autograph a ball, but she did not regard herself as a star. “It was nice to see how happy people were when, for example, I gave them a glove. It gave me a nice feeling, too, and in some way it made up for the disappointment I felt with my own performance.”
 
As to what it was like living in the Athletes’ Village, she said the atmosphere there was very friendly and recalled chatting with Michael Phelps (US Olympic swimmer) about why there were no more scrambled eggs available at breakfast even though it was still early. “And it was nice when top British golfer Justin Rose recognised me and wished me good luck. I also had a chat with Fabian Cancellara (Swiss Olympic cyclist) in the lift one day.”
 
The journalist raised the point about condom machines being available in the Athletes' Village, with In-Arbon mentioning that they were right in the middle of the dining area. “This was hardly a discreet location. I can well imagine many condoms were taken back home by a lot of athletes from poorer countries, though I am sure some were used in Rio, too. I heard about all this sort of thing at the Olympic Games in London. You cannot fail to notice that the hormone level of some of the athletes is very high.”
 
When she was asked about the many negative reports about Rio de Janeiro before the games, In-Arbon mentioned she had read them too, but was positively surprised when she got there. “I never encountered any mosquitos,” she said. It was more minor things which annoyed me, such as having to search out my laundry bags from among hundreds of others, and lifts not working. We had to use the stairs, though, of course, we were all athletes, after all. I have experienced worse hotels on golf tours than at the Olympics in Rio.”
 
When asked about her participation in the Olympic Games and the effect it might have on her sponsors, she said she would have to wait and see how they reacted.  “We lady golfers in Europe can hardly live off our prize money,” she said. “I owe a lot to my family and team who gave me so much support.”
 
As to what souvenirs she has brought back from Brazil, she said she had bought a bib for her caddy with his name on it. “And of course I brought the Swiss flag I already had back with me. I have had this in my room since it was known golf was to feature at the games. It says, “Rio 16, dream it, believe it, do it, I will,” on it. Of course I have brought back so many other memories of my time there back with me, too.”
 
As to her plans once having arrived back in Switzerland, actually last Monday, In-Arbon said she would be taking up training again without delay in preparation for the Ladies’ European Tour in Düsseldorf.
 
And what about her time once her golfing days are over? After all, she does have a degree in sport management from Australia.
“I realise there will come a time when I will no longer play competitive golf but for the moment I am just enjoying life as it is. There are the next Olympics in Tokyo to think about. I might think about having a family of my own after then.”