How Taylor Swift helped Mali seize two silver medals

Mali Lovell returned to the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) gymnasium to start her preparations for the Aussies season, revealing how American pop princess Taylor Swift helped her to two silver medal finishes at the recent World Para Athletics Championships in Delhi.

The 21-year-old took time out after training with NSWIS’s senior strength & conditioning practitioner Chris Brandner to reflect on her superb performances in the 100m and 200m T36 events which resulted in ‘Mighty’ Mali minting her fourth and fifth global medals.

“It really meant a lot considering I won bronze in Paris,” enthused Lovell, who finished in third place at last year’s Paris Paralympic Games. “And making an uplift to that . . . getting two silvers . . . was pretty insane.

“The 100m was a surprise; I knew I had a shot at winning a silver or a bronze, but I had to work hard for it. [Success] never comes easy. But I was close to my PBs, so I was really happy – minus the stumble at the end, but everything happens for a reason.”

Lovell also paid tribute to pop superstar Taylor Swift for playing a role in her success.

“I had her song Cancelled on replay . . . I must have listened to it 5000 times!” Lovell said with a laugh after being asked what her pre-race ‘pump up’ song was.

Upon her return home Lovell told Australian Athletics Lachlan Moorhouse that she expects to show an even cleaner pair of heels this summer.

“I have also been working on my first 20m and that’s improved so much. I reckon I can go faster in the blocks too so I’m looking at that.”

Daniel Lane, NSWIS

Photo: Mitch Soames NSWIS