Hillcrest athlete heads to Rio
Local rider, Alan Hatherly, will take part in this year's Olympic Games.
HILLCREST athlete, Alan Hatherly, will be living his Olympic dream when he represents South Africa in Rio de Janeiro in August for the cross country mountain biking clash at the 2016 Olympic Games.
The 20-year-old has dreamt for many years of one day representing South Africa at the iconic multi-sport event. “I couldn’t be happier and I’m extremely proud to be given the opportunity to represent my country in Rio,” explained Alan. “It has been a lifelong dream to go to the Olympics but this has all happened way quicker than I thought it ever would. I had been focused on trying to qualify for the 2020 Olympics and in fact only realized a year and a half ago that there was even a possibility that I could go to Rio”
Through his involvement in the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation backed Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP), Alan spent some time in Prime Human Performance Institute’s hypoxic chamber last year. He also followed a carefully designed, personalised strength and conditioning programme in the gym as part of his build-up to the Olympic challenge.
A frantic racing schedule for much of the first half of this year saw the debutante Olympian place great emphasis on recovery – another key area in which the EADP provided Alan with assistance. “The EADP has played a crucial role in preparing me for all the races I needed to take part to push for Olympic qualification and selection.”
Aware of his early emergence onto the Olympic circuit, Alan was keen to gain invaluable experience in Rio ahead of potential future Olympic assignments.
The fast emerging young star was also eager to ensure he isn’t merely a passenger in Rio and instead flies the flag high for South Africa. “Being selected for the Olympics has happened a lot quicker than I thought it ever would for me and potentially being able to go to three Olympics in my career is unbelievable,” he said.
“Being so young, the experience of my first Olympics will definitely help me if I’m lucky enough to go to a second and even third Olympics.
“I am definitely going to Rio to compete as best I can, though. Having done all my homework, it seems often a lot of the guys actually come into the Olympics a little overcooked so I definitely think a top 20 is a possibility.”
