I’m going there to conquer Tokyo Olympics - Vorster
Compared to how she prepared for the last Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016, Namibia’s cross-country cyclist Michelle Vorster says this time around she is much better prepared for next month’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Vorster became the first-ever Namibian female to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in the women’s cross-country event.
“I am currently in Europe, and better prepared than when I went to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics. I am looking forward to the games as I am training hard with my coach every day,” she enthused. The cyclist, who also competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia in the elite road and crosscountry events where she finished in eighth position - the highest position by any Namibian cyclist to date – said being in Europe as part of her ongoing preparations has taught her a lot.
“I have learned so much in the past month here in Europe, and hopefully can take that experience to Tokyo. Physically, I am very well prepared, but there is always a mental aspect in terms of not putting too much pressure on myself,” said Vorster, who stated that her main goal for the Olympics is to do her personal best.
The Olympian, who is a 2017 African continental champion and multiple Namibian champion title- holder in mountain bike cross-country and marathon cycling events, added that she wants to make the country proud.
“I can only go there and do my best. The outcome is in God’s hands because I don’t know what outcome I will get, but I will go there to do my best and make my country proud,” reiterated the cyclist, who called on fellow Namibians to stay safe during the time of the raging Covid-19 pandemic. – Nampa