South African cyclists Kyle Dodd (BMX), James Reid and Alan Hatherly (both MTB) reflected on their experience at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games today.
National champion Dodd said it was probably one of the best experiences of his life.
South African National BMX Champion Kyle Dodd (centre) found the 2016 Rio Olympics an incredible experience. Photo: uci.ch
“I felt good on the track but I have never been that nervous in my life. I was the first one to do the time-trial, which made it even worse. I was confident going into the races, though, and wanted to make the top 16 semi-finals.”
Dodd earned a fourth place and two fifth places, which made him fifth overall and put him out of contention.
Kargo Pro Team’s Hatherly rode an impressive race and crossed the finish line in 26th place.
South African Mountain bike representatives Alan Hatherly (left) and James Reid (right) enjoyed every minute of their Rio 2016 Olympic Games experience. Photo: James Reid (Twitter)
“Starting at the back of the field was always going to be a difficult task to avoid the first lap bottlenecks.
“After a solid week’s training in dry hot conditions, I wasn’t too concerned about what would happen on the first lap. However when the weather changed it became a different ball game.”
South African cross-country champion James Reid returned home disheartened.
“There’s disappointment in life and then there’s Rio,” he said.
Reid’s first mishap was going over the handlebars and crashing on the third lap when he tried to avoid a pile-up in front of him. Soon afterwards he had a puncture to his front tyre shortly after the tech zone, which resulted in him running half the lap before being able to repair it.
However, Reid did not let the disappointment of his race detract from the life-altering experience of attending the Olympic Games.
“The experience was insane, it was mind-blowing. It changed my perception of sport and its role in society and how it can unite people from different nations.”
