Triathlon

How nervous were you before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, how did you manage those nerves?

Triathlete's Surprising Strategy and Supportive Atmosphere at Tokyo Olympics

I feel like before the start of the Tokyo Olympics. I was actually not as nervous as as I have been for other races and my man try going into the race. Was I know how to do this. Like, I know how to race Triathlon and just the mindset of like, this is what I do basically, and it was like, for the warm-up, we were doing a swim warm up, and it was so spots. One through five. It was me the Brits and summer and we were all just practicing starts. And really just like kind of scheming like, okay, like if we, if we get into like this formation like we can all get away and it was amazing because a like it's not something we typically do at any race, but also it was really fun and I think that it made it feel feel fine and it made it feel like I would say a difference from Rio to Tokyo, is that in Rio. I felt like my competitors were competitors. I was intimidated by them and felt like they were bigger than me. Whereas, in Tokyo, I felt like they were my friends and I also think that is being drawn upon like a five years of getting to know people but be how supportive people were when my dad passed away and how they were there for me. And it just created a lot of really close-knit relationships with the triathlon community. So for me like that would made it really fun. And so that for starting on that start line in Tokyo. It was really just like, let's see what I can do. I'm going to try my best and and it made it a little less stressful and a lot less nervous. Fracking.

Going into the Tokyo Olympics, I was less nervous than other races because I had a great warm-up with the other competitors and I felt like they were my friends. This positive mindset made it much easier to approach the race with confidence.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/eb6855e4-0151-47b7-9ed5.vtt

Before the start of the Tokyo Olympics, I was actually not as nervous as I had been for other races. I felt confident in my abilities and had the mindset of knowing how to race in triathlon. During the warm-up, we were practicing starts with other athletes, and it was a fun and unique experience. It made the whole atmosphere feel more relaxed and enjoyable.

One difference I noticed between Rio and Tokyo was how I viewed my competitors. In Rio, I felt intimidated by them and saw them as bigger than me. However, in Tokyo, I felt like they were my friends. Over the past five years, I had gotten to know many of them, and their support during the difficult time when my dad passed away created close-knit relationships within the triathlon community.

This supportive and friendly environment made the start line in Tokyo feel exciting rather than stressful. I approached the race with the mindset of giving my best and seeing what I could achieve. Overall, the camaraderie and positive relationships within the triathlon community helped manage any nerves I had before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

What’s the hardest setback you’ve had to deal with?

Triathlete's Toughest Setback: Losing Dad Before Tokyo Olympics

The hardest setback that I've ever had is losing my dad. I lost my dad early early April in 2021 right before trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. And I mean my dad was such a such a part of my journey and Triathlon. He was the first person I ever did a triathlon with and he's been a part of that Journey, the whole way. So for me, losing my dad and just trying to regroup from that was was really really challenging especially in the List of qualifying for Tokyo, so that was that was really hard.

The hardest setback I've ever had was losing my dad early April 2021, right before trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. He had been part of my journey in Triathlon since I started and his loss was really hard to deal with.

https://assets.anyquestion.com/raw/upload/5499fff8-adab-47cc-bef1.vtt

The hardest setback I've faced was the loss of my dad. It happened in early April 2021, right before my attempt to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. My dad played a significant role in my journey and passion for triathlon. He was the first person I ever did a triathlon with, and he supported me throughout the entire journey. Dealing with his loss and trying to regroup from that was incredibly challenging, especially while striving to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. It was a truly difficult time for me.

Katie Zaferes answers your Triathlon questions. See all the advice Katie Zaferes has and get answers to your own Triathlon questions.

Follow me on AnyQuestion

Olympian🥈🥉, World Triathlon Champion, Super League Triathlon Champion.⁣