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Olympic heroine brings gold back home
Vale Life Autumn/Winter issue 2008
Olympic gold medallist and World Title holder Nicole Cooke talks about her win in Beijing and her early years in Wick.
It says 30 on the sign. I suspect she’s broken that particular speed limit on more than a few occasions over the years. Nicole Cooke plus gold medal plus proud mum. Photograph courtesy of Derek Naylor www.ifotoevents.co.uk
What was growing up in Wick like?
It was fantastic! There was always something going on, with events at the village hall, the carnival and many other activities throughout the year. Back then there was a great sense of freedom to go exploring through the fields to the beach or in the lanes to the ford at Castle upon Alun.
When did you get your first bike?
Christmas, when I was three. It had stabilisers and one gear! It was great for learning to ride on - it was a lot different to my Boardman bike that I won the Olympics on!
When did you get the cycling bug ?
I think when I was six or seven I was old enough to ride around the lanes just outside the village and it was then that I imagined myself to be going exploring or on an adventure. I loved the freedom that cycling gave me!
At what point did you realise you could be an Olympic champion?
I realised I had a talent that could be good enough to potentially be Olympic champion when I was twelve when I returned home from a racing trip in Holland and had raced a Youth Tour for boys and girls and been up there every day. This followed beating the boys to win the Welsh Under Twelve cyclocross championships the winter before. Although I did not win in Holland I was on the podium in some stages and finished fifth overall against Dutch and Belgian boys and knew I had a special talent for cycling. I realised this dream could be a reality only a couple of metres before I crossed the finish line in Beijing. Until you cross that line first, anything can happen!
Obviously, winning your gold medal is a massive achievement. Can you describe your emotions when you realised you’d won?
As soon as I crossed the line, I think all of the different emotions I had felt over the years leading up to the Olympics surfaced all at once. I remembered all of the pain, the disappointments and difficulties and yet this made the joy of winning the gold medal even sweeter! It was an incredible flood of emotions and one that I shall never forget!
Describe your training regime
I plan my week carefully so that I’m able to train different elements each day to enhance my performance. I work on power in the hills, and also on intensity and sprinting which all comes together so that on race day, I’m totally prepared and ready for whatever I have to cope with.
Have you had to sacrifice anything to get where you are?
I have missed out on some events with my family and friends over the years due to my dedication to cycling but at times like this I always felt happy with the choice I was making because I have such a passion for my sport. It also meant that the precious time I could spend with my family and friends was all the more special.
Are you interested in other sports?
I love watching gymnastics and tennis, and I also like winter sports too. If you weren’t an Olympic gold medallist, what other thing would you like to have excelled at? I haven’t spent time thinking what I would like to have done instead of following my dream to be an Olympic champion. I’m very grateful for the talent I have been given for cycling and have really only ever wanted to get the most out of that.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by all athletes who I see working hard and taking the opportunities to try to be successful.
What next for Nicole?
I will continue racing towards my long term target of the London Olympics in 2012 but, meanwhile, I want to work with my own support team to create a team of riders to develop young and talented riders so by 2012 we have the strongest British team ever. I also want to use the fantastic opportunities as Olympic Champion to work with charities and to help young children.
What music do you like?
I like all sorts of music, but mainly R’n’B, hip hop and rock.
Favourite food?
Pasta.
Favourite drink?
Fresh cold milk!
Favourite place in the Vale?
All along the Heritage Coast.
What do you do to relax?
I like to read, watch films or meet with friends.
I’m very good at...
Cycling!
(This has to be the understatement of the year! - Editor)
I’m not very good at...
Keeping my room tidy.
In moments of weakness I...
Vow to work harder.
In a nutshell my philosophy is...
Enjoy a balanced life.
To read more about Nicole Cooke, please visit www.valelife.co.uk
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