Couch-bound Sarah wins trip to the Olympics

By Michelle Herbison
CLIFTON Springs’ Sarah Pook has beaten the odds to win a trip to the London Olympics without getting off her couch.
The graphic designer said she was at home with an injury when she entered Channel Seven’s Sunrise and Accor Hotels competition.
“I dislocated my pelvis, so was off work for two weeks. Of a morning I’d just get up and roll out to the couch to watch some TV and I was entering all the Sunrise competitions,” Ms Pook said.
She was surprised to receive a phone call recently announcing her as the Victorian participant for a mini-Olympics to determine a national winner.
“I explained to them I wasn’t going to be able to go because I could barely walk.”
Luckily for Ms Pook, her partner’s Sydney-based brother, Will Miles, was up for the challenge.
She said an excited Mr Miles won the “dramatic race” to the finish-line
Ms Pook planned to take partner Tom Miles on the six-day trip in July.
“We kind of discussed it beforehand. Will had been to London four or five times, so he was more than happy for me to take Tom,” she laughed.
Ms Pook said details were yet to be finalised but the couple would see the opening ceremony and four other events each.
“I’m sort of hoping to see the swimming, maybe some gymnastics or a basketball game but I’m pretty happy to see anything.
“What I’m really excited about is the opening ceremony.”