I want to enjoy this one more, even if it’s a unique Olympics
AFTER so long waiting – five years of training and build-up – the Tokyo Olympics gets under way next week and I can’t wait to get started. I was picked way back in September 2019 and since then so much has happened and so much has changed. The British Olympic Association always felt sure the Games would go ahead and that is what I have been planning for.
I’m training so hard right now I feel a little bit of a vacant person. I also feel like I’ve been on pause a little bit, having been selected for the team the best part of two years ago. Having seen my brother Alistair’s struggles to make the squad, right up against it until the last chance in Leeds sadly came and went recently, I am so glad I was picked when I was and that I didn’t have that pressure.
Al had not run at all for the couple of weeks leading into Leeds – 90 per cent of athletes would not have started that race last month. I knew he would struggle to get round despite people talking about him qualifying for Tokyo that day.
I really felt for him and in the end, it was out of his control – a fact I know he will have hated. It was very hard to see him struggle. But once he knew he wasn’t going, it made it a lot easier for him to decide to have ankle surgery.
He has been coming out with my training group on his e-mountain bike. He also sent me a message about Tokyo, backing me to do well.
It will definitely be strange and different without him there on the startline. I’m used to going through the whole process with him.
I’m so proud to be competing at my third Olympics and I decided some time ago I want to enjoy this one more, take it in and appreciate it all – even though it is going to be a very unique Games due to Covid.
The whole thing will be so unusual. Normally I am out training in St Moritz before an Olympics but this time it will be a case of turning up, racing and going home.
I’ve been training in a heat chamber at home to prepare for conditions in Japan which I’m expecting won’t be pleasant.
I competed in Yokohama earlier this year and also the test event in 2019. What brought home to me how hot it is there was when I got off the subway with my training partner because it was simply too hot for us. Our T-shirts were soaked and it was just too hot to do anything outside.
We will race at 6.30am because of the heat and it will be a case of the athlete who is best prepared winning, unlike in Rio for instance where Al and I won gold and silver respectively as the best two athletes in the race. The heat will play such a huge part in Tokyo and you cannot overestimate that.
But, despite everything, it is an Olympic Games and I am delighted to have the chance to compete there. I just hope it is my time now.