The opening ceremony, living in a village alongside some of the world's best athletes, the excitement and pressure of performing at the highest level... it's stuff dreams are made of.

For the best part of the past two weeks, Strauch lived out that childhood dream.

While the Tokyo Olympics have been "different" because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian swimming team member can't wipe the smile off her face.

"It was everything I expected and more,'' the 24-year-old said from the Howard Springs quarantine facility in Darwin.

"Obviously, with COVID-19 restrictions around there were things we couldn't do, but the experience was still incredible.

"I can only imagine what it would have been like without the restrictions.

"I've never experienced anything like that before and it's hard to put it into perspective with words. I loved every single moment of it.

"In my sport, to be a part of Australia's most successful swimming team was very special and something that I will keep dear to me for the rest of my life.

"Even just being surrounded by the rest of the Australian Olympic team, being exposed to other sports and meeting people from other sports was the most amazing experience.

"We couldn't mingle with other countries, but all the Australians were in the same building, so we could mix with other Australian athletes.

"We could sit down and talk with other athletes or grab a coffee with them.

"I had my photo taken with Ash Barty and I met Jess Fox...everyone talked to everyone. It was a really nice place to be.

"Everyone had a mutual respect for each other because everyone realised how hard it is to get to that point and be in a small minority that has pushed themselves to the limit to get to the Olympics."

In the pool, Strauch did herself proud.

She missed out on the 200m breaststroke final by just half a second.

She finished the Olympics with a ninth-placed ranking - five places higher than where she finished at the 2019 world championships.

"I swam a small PB in the heat and to do that at the Olympic Games is a hard thing to do,'' Strauch said.

"There's nothing that will prepare you for the pressure, the intensity and the excitement that an Olympic Games brings.

"To produce what I did in those circumstances I was really proud of myself.

"In a short period of time I've dropped three seconds in my event and I'm on a really high trajectory.

"I loved every single second of the Games. Considering where I've come from and what I've been through, I couldn't be prouder.

"I hope there's young Australians out there that can see what I've done and realise that you can't let adversity or your circumstances define who you are or what you want to be.

"If you believe and you work hard you can get to where you want to go. My hope out of this is that there's people out there that can be inspired by this.

"I'm still being inspired by my team-mates and I'm already looking at how I can grow as an athlete and as a person.

"I've made some big jumps and in three years time, who knows where I'll be."

Strauch said the experience of competing in the semi-finals in Tokyo would benefit her swimming going forward.

While she looked cool, calm and collected on the blocks prior to the biggest race of her life, she did have some nervous moments leading into the semi-final.

"In that moment I've probably never been more nervous in my life, but there was also a sense of calmness and composure because that's what we train for everyday,'' Strauch said.

"You have to stay calm and be ready to execute what you've worked so hard for.

"On the morning of my semi-final I jumped on the bus at the village to go to the pool and the bus went the other way.

"I'd travelled to the pool so many times in the lead-up to that day, but then all of a sudden I'm going in the other direction.

"It's small things like that that can test you, but you have to stay calm and follow your process.

"It's the same when you step up and race. You only have control over what you do."

Once Strauch had completed her swimming commitments she was allowed to sit poolside and support her fellow Australian team members.

Much to Strauch's delight, she was able to be in the stands to watch her close friend Emma McKeon dominate the rest of the world.

"Emma had the Games of a lifetime, but she is still just herself,'' Strauch said.

"Being able to watch her achieve her dreams with such pride and humility is something I won't ever forget."

Something else Strauch will never forget is the overwhelming support she received from the Bendigo community leading into and after her races in Tokyo.

"The outpour of love and support I've received I can't describe,'' Strauch said.

"I just hope everyone in Bendigo knows how much I appreciate that.

"I'm so proud of where I come from and who I am. The support I've received, not just from my family and friends, but the Bendigo community as a whole has been amazing.

"I hope I can give back to the Bendigo community in the same way they've supported me.

"When I do get back to Bendigo I'd love to thank everyone. I'm very grateful that the town supported me. It's very special.

"You don't do this for the accolades, but to know I have this much support behind me makes the hard days easier to cope with."

At the completion of her 14-day quarantine in Darwin, Strauch hopes to catch up with her family before she heads to Naples in Italy to compete in the International Swimming League for the first time.

Strauch was drafted by the Hungarian-based Team Iron for the prestigious month-long carnival that brings together the best swimmers in the world.

The ISL will be another key learning experience ahead of a bumper 2022.

Then there's the Paris Olympics just around the corner in 2024.

"Next year we have the world championships and the Commonwealth Games... the time is going to fly,'' Strauch said.

"I don't know what's around the corner for me, but I'm looking forward to the future. I'm really hoping you see me in Paris."

Read more: Keep up to date with the Tokyo Olympics

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