Olivia Mathias – Welsh Triathlete

After a third place in her most recent finish in the ‘Elite Women’s’ category in Barcelona, Olivia Mathias talks about how her progression is building to make for a “big performance” for the triathlon at the upcoming Commonwealth games in Birmingham.

“Things have been building up very nicely. Results have been getting better and better the closer we get to the games and I have no reason not to have a bit of confidence right now”.

A win in July earlier this year was a highlight of the season before the next result almost shattered beliefs after finishing 29th, but after a bit of hindsight, it appears to have been a good moment to take a step back and go again.

“Hungary was a great win for myself but at the same time I thought this peak had come too early, it came earlier than I had originally expected. Montreal was almost a good thing even though it was 29th”.

“A lot of people in Athletics are true believers in building momentum and thankfully I can look back at that time and realise I’m ok. The hard work was put in at the right times and now with a good winter I can peak right at the best time”.

Even though the performances are there to fight the corner for her involvement in the commonwealth games, achieving a place on the team is not as simple as looking at the CV.

“The training and everything behind the scenes is as challenging as you can imagine, having a good result here or there yes is a very good help, but the work you put in that not many get to see, that’s where the real work is put in and where you truly earn your place”.

“Every phase is different to. Between Hungary and Montreal to Hamburg and now Barcelona, each phase to train and work is unique. Like a lot of what we see with four year cycles before the pandemic with the Olympics”.

“Certainly Montreal and Barcelona stand out mainly for the altitude and heat. The programmes leading up to each event vary. As much as most will see it still as a swim, cycle and run each event. The scenarios are all unique, you don’t use the same tactics every football game you change depending on what you are facing”.