After clinching a gold medal in skateboarding, a 14-year-old Australian Olympian has secured one of the most unusual gift requests, but champions deserve what they ask for.
Arisa Trew has gained significant recognition by becoming her country’s youngest Olympic gold medalist.
Arisa, at 14 years and 86 days old, surpassed the previous Australian record held by Sandra Morgan, who was 14 years and 184 days old. Morgan’s record had remained unbroken for 68 years since she won gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay in 1956.
Celebrations for Trew are well-deserved. Imagine being 14 and winning a gold medal—what would you ask from your parents? What would your heart desire?
Trew knew exactly what she wanted, and it’s quite unique.
She wanted a new pet, but not the usual kind you might expect. In fact, you probably don’t know anyone who has this animal as a pet.
“My parents promised if I won the gold medal I would get a pet duck,” she shared on the Today show in Australia.
Yes, not a dog, a cat, or even a snake, but a charming little duck.
She elaborated: “Because they are really cute, then I can take it on walks and take it to the skate park.”
“My parents definitely wouldn’t let me get a dog or a cat because we are travelling so much right now.
“But I feel like a duck might be a little bit easier, and… I don’t know, I just want a duck.”
Well, fair enough. The girl is a gold medalist; let her have what she wants.
Upon learning she was the youngest to achieve this, Trew described the experience as ‘insane and really cool.’
Reflecting on her overall Olympic achievements, she said: “It was just crazy and so exciting and I just, like, couldn’t believe it when I, like, knew that I was the winner of the Olympics.
“This being my first Olympics, it’s just insane.”
She added: “And just to have fun with all my friends and skate my best, but, like, all I really wanted to do was land a solid run.”