With the much-awaited Tokyo Games now here, It's an exciting time for Australian athletes past, present as well as those aspiring to one day compete in green and gold.

Over the years central Victoria has produced numerous sportsmen and women who gave it their all and achieved their dreams of becoming Olympians.

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Triumph, heartbreak and resilience, it's all in a day's work for an Olympian.

When world-class athletes look back on their careers there's always bound to be plenty of highs and lows.

Bendigo-born rower Hannah Every-Hall believes the journey is just as important as the finish line.

"It's a life lesson to only remember all of the good stuff," the former rowing world champion said.

"I remember all the hard work involved but the pain and disappointment eventually slips further out of memory.

"The older I get the more I realise - well results count, but that's not necessarily what it's all about.

"It's the journey along the way which is most memorable."

Every-Hall made her Olympic debut at London 2012 in the Women's Lightweight Double Scull stroke alongside Bronwen Watson.

They finished fifth overall, with hosts Great Britain winning gold.

Just thinking back to her experience at London 2012, Every-Hall knows exactly how Australia's Tokyo rowing squad is feeling ahead of the much-anticipated Games.

"I can't wait to be able to watch them in action as this year we have some extraordinary athletes, especially in the women's pairs and fours," Every-Hall said.

"Overall the women's program is looking exceptionally strong.

"It's very similar on the men's fours and eights with some great young up-and-coming athletes.

"In the lead-up they've all been setting world-class times within one or two per cent of the sport's best."

Every-Hall said the nature of global COVID-19 restrictions means the lead-up to Tokyo has been different to previous Games.

"Across the board there's been incredible hardships and there's part of me that feels overall it's not equal," she said.

"Some nations have had it tougher than others, Australians haven't really had any international competitions for almost two years, but then there are some countries that haven't even been able to train."

"European teams might have a slight advantage as they've been able to have a few more competitions.

"But the important thing always is the joy of everyone from the sport coming together to compete."

As a self-confessed fan of all things sport, every time the Olympics roll around it's a time of excitement.

That is irrespective of the fact he's a gold and bronze medalist.

McGrory made his Olympic debut at Seoul 1988 where he won bronze in the 4000m Team Pursuit alongside Brett Dutton, Wayne McCarney, Stephen McGlede and Dean Woods.

"Fantastic, I thought to myself after Seoul," McGrory said.

"As an 18-year-old coming away from an Olympics after winning bronze, I thought surely I'd have another chance to stand on that top step.

"But it didn't go as planned."

He was unable to qualify for the team for Barcelona 1992 and didn't even tryout for the squad for Atlanta 1996.

However, as Australia was preparing to host its first Olympics since Melbourne 1956, the stars aligned.

"By the time Sydney 2000 came along they brought the Madison into the Olympics," he said.

"By chance it was an event I truly loved as a kid and throughout my professional career a discipline I frequently competed."

McGrory's name was at the top of the selectors' list as a prime candidate for the team, which would eventually see him and Brett Aitken as the Australian pair.

The duo went on to win gold ahead of second-placed Belgium and Italy in third.

They also paired up and won the 2001 Bendigo International Madison.

McGrory's days of competing on the world stage might be done and dusted, but he still remains actively involved and is part of Channel Seven's Tokyo Olympic cycling commentary panel alongside Mitch Tomlinson, Adam Stone, Anna Meares, Paul Van der Ploeg and Phil Liggett.

"I am incredibly honoured and privileged to be working as a commentator and can't wait to get underway," he said.

"There's also that bit of nervousness surrounding the job as there's plenty of research involved to make sure I do my best job to show the athletes the respect they deserve."

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McGrory also believes competing at Tokyo 2020 presents a new set of challenges never experienced at an Olympics before.

"The types of advice you'd give athletes, especially young competitors making their debut, is very different to a usual Games," he said.

"Normally there is so much energy and hype with crowds providing a next-level atmosphere, whereas no one really has the experience of competing at the greatest sporting event in the world without a crowd.

"This year it will be similar to competing at a training facility.

"Whether they are chasing medals, or personal bests, the key is to remain focused to ensure they achieve their goals."

September 15, 2000 is a date that Kristi Harrower will never forget.

"Walking out of that tunnel to 110,000 screaming fans at the opening ceremony at ANZ stadium is a moment I still remember to this day," Harrower said.

"Sydney was my first Olympics and the moment brought a tear to my eye.

"I knew it was an extremely special moment to be a part of and all of the hard work in the lead-up had paid off.

"It was amazing and definitely my favourite Olympics just for the fact it was my debut and was at home in Australia."

Harrower's experience includes four Olympics - Sydney (Silver), Athens (Silver), Beijing (Silver) and London (Bronze).

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"I will never forget that experience of the lead-up to an Olympics as there are always endless sacrifices to get there, but your dreams are now coming true," Harrower said.

"Just to be a part of it, getting your uniform and the atmosphere in the village.

"I even sit here today and wish I could be there."

However, Harrower believes this Olympic experience will be very different for the athletes.

"Of course, this Olympics is going to be very hard with all that's going on," she said.

"They won't be able to have family, friends and their support network around them which was a major part of my experience."

Harrower will be keeping a close eye on the Opals, who start their gold medal campaign on Tuesday, July 27 with a clash against Belgium at 6.20PM AEST.

"I'm really looking forward to watching both the Opals and Boomers play, I really do hope they medal," she said.

"The Opals have been through a lot of adversity recently but I am sure it will make them even stronger. There's been a long-standing culture at the Opals, even before my time, and it's a never say die attitude."

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