Shooting is not scheduled for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and QUICK, 58, said GC2018 – his seventh Games, which is a record for an Australian shooter – would probably be his last.
“If I finish on 14 medals (with no medal at Gold Coast 2018), well, it’s not a bad record,” he said of being Australia’s third most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete, behind fellow shooter Phillip ADAMS (18 medals) and swimmer Susie O’NEILL (15).
“I have competed in 25 events and won medals in 14 – it’s a batting average in the 60s and I’m happy with that,” QUICK said following training at Belmont Shooting Centre. His tally reads one gold, seven silvers and six bronze medals from individual and pairs events.
QUICK won his only gold medal – centre fire pairs – in his first Commonwealth Games event at Auckland 1990, when he was “brave and very young and fearless with no expectations”.
Whether the drive for success at his seventh Games is as raw as in his first, QUICK said: “I wish I had a bit more of that youthful exuberance. This time I will smell the roses. I’m very positive, relaxed and comfortable in my ability, not bringing any pressure on myself.”
QUICK missed Victoria 1994 and won medals in each Commonwealth Games until Glasgow 2014, where he finished sixth and eighth in his two finals.
In Manchester 2002 he won six medals – five silver and one bronze – and was asked if he was disappointed there were no golds in his haul. “I said I was very proud and was the first to congratulate the winners.”
GC2018 could be his proudest moment, but he has no concerns at not being able to catch ADAMS’ 18 medals in six Games – a record for all sports.
Commonwealth Games News Service
