For most Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) athletes, the Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games represent the pinnacle of sport, a moment when years of training, discipline, and belief come together on the world stage.
VIS curling athlete Dean Hewitt experienced this honour at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. However, his recent bid for selection to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games didn’t quite go his way.
“Missing out on the 2026 Winter Olympic Games by one spot was devastating, excruciating and gut-wrenching,” said Hewitt.
“It’s hard to describe the emotions when you put everything into it, ranked number one in the world, have a bronze medal from the most recent World Championships and yet not qualify.”
The Aussies still needed to qualify for the Games after finishing eighth during the qualification period. With only the top seven nations, alongside host nation Italy, guaranteed an Olympic spot, their path wasn’t straightforward.
Australia ultimately fell short, losing to Czechia and South Korea in the play-offs, and missed out on qualification for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Despite the disappointment, his commitment to the sport and the Olympic spirit remained unwavering. Reflecting on how he processes moments like this.
“One of the best ways I found to process and reflect on the Games was talking about it,” shared Hewitt.
Falling short of Olympic selection can be a defining moment in an athlete’s career, testing both character and resilience. For Hewitt, this moment was no different. While many athletes may choose to step away, Hewitt took a different path, leaning in rather than pulling back.
“In the four years following the Beijing Winter Games in 2022, I spoke in front of over 170 groups and more than 10,000 people. So for me, processing falling short of the 2026 Winter Games meant following that same path,” the curler explained.
Image: Dean Hewitt (left) and Millie Bongiorno (right) presenting to a group of school students.
“I think it became so ingrained in me, sharing stories of resilience, reaching for goals, and powerful mindsets, that I just kept moving through moments of ‘doing it anyway’.”
In the weeks surrounding the Winter Games, Hewitt fully immersed himself in the Olympic spirit, continuing to contribute through his involvement in a variety of VIS Community Programs. Driven by a desire to make a broader impact.
“I thought about the impact I could have, helping others build the skills to push through barriers, persist, and take that next step up that staircase that I so often speak about.”
Hewitt attended events and visited numerous schools as part of the VIS Be Fit. Be Well program, sharing his journey and helping students connect with the excitement of the Games as they unfolded on the other side of the world.
“The Be Fit, Be Well Program carries such important messages. Not everyone can or wants to be a high performance athlete, but I want to make sure everyone is enhancing their health physically, mentally and socially from a young age and throughout life,” Hewit explained.
The Victorian athlete also led tours of the VIS, his high performance training ground, for audiences eager to learn all about the Winter Olympics and winter sports.
“Whether it was touring schools through the VIS, presenting to students, doing media, or teaching people how to curl for the first time, I was diving right in.”
Rather than distance himself from what might have been, acting with the values, commitment and dedication of an Australian Olympian. Hewitt embraced the spirit of the Games in a way that extended far beyond competition.
Motivated not only by personal growth but also by the future of his sport.
“One of my biggest goals is to grow curling and hopefully one day establish dedicated curling ice in Australia.”
“The Olympics provided an opportunity to build excitement, not just for curling, but for all winter sports, and show what’s possible, even in a country like ours.”
At the same time as connecting with the local community back in Australia, Hewitt remained connected to those competing.
“I have so many mates competing at the Games, and I wanted to bring more attention to what they were achieving. Training alongside them at the VIS, it really does feel like a small but mighty Winter team,” Hewitt said.
With the support of his performance team at the VIS, Hewitt continued to show up, not just for himself, but for the Victorian community.
Reflecting on the impact of his work in the community.
“It makes it extra special when a student tells you they feel inspired to pursue their dreams, or when you hear they’ve gone home and shared what they learned with their parents, that’s what it’s all about.”
Hewitt’s willingness to stay engaged, inspire young people, and celebrate the achievements of others speaks volumes about the person behind the athlete and the values at heart of high performance sport in Australia.
When he’s not training or travelling for competition, Hewitt is available for private speaking engagements, sharing insights into mindset, overcoming setbacks and his passion for sport with schools, clubs and organisations.
