‘I want to have it in my hands’: Natalya Diehm is keen to control her own fate in the Olympic Qualifier Series decider

Determine your own destiny and take on the challenge that lies ahead. That’s the theme for Natalya Diehm as she attempts to secure a direct path to her second Olympic Games this weekend via the IOC Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Budapest, Hungary.

Diehm put in a strong performance at the first stage of the OQS in Shanghai in May, gaining a place in the final and finishing ninth.

While Australia should secure a continental quota position based on the results of the 2022 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships, the OQS’s top six riders are guaranteed a place for Paris, putting the Queenslander in control of her immediate qualifying path.

“For me, I want to have it in my hands. I want to do everything I can to make sure I’m the one going, so being in the top six is ​​obviously a bonus. If not, then we have to wait and see,” Diehm said.

“I’m in a pretty good position to possibly finish in the top six as an average. That would secure my place in Paris. I knew it was going to be a tough final (in Shanghai), so it was great to get to the final, and then to come ninth, I’m pretty happy with that.

“So yes, I feel like any normal person. Definitely nervous, but looking forward to the challenge.”

The 26-year-old outlined how maintaining a familiar routine plays a role in achieving peak performance, a task made more difficult given the time zone difference and the unfamiliar environment of a country the 2020 Olympian has not visited before.

“I try to sleep a lot, especially now that we are going to Europe. The time zone and everything are moving back too, so try to get over the jet lag as quickly as possible. Make sure my diet is the same. I like to eat the same things I eat at home, if that’s possible,” Diehm revealed.

“And take care of the recovery with the physio, do some movement preparation in the gym. And then just work on the bike. All I do is try to do and be my best and be Natalya Diehm. You know, everyone wants to win, but I’m focused on doing my best, and if I do my best, it will show.

“(The judges) always give a little briefing before the event, during the drivers’ meeting, about what they’re looking for, and everything they say, it always comes back to the overall performance, the overall minute, right?

“For me personally, I think I should try to gain that little bit of extra height or just work on some personal things for me that I think are worthwhile. Everyone is different, but it always comes down to filling in the 60 seconds as best you can and hoping the judges like it.”

After Budapest, Diehm will head to California and compete at the X Games BMX Park – the first time women have ever competed in the event – ​​before returning to Australia and hopefully gearing up for her second appearance at an Olympic Games, pending selection.

However, Diehm reiterated that the ARA Australian Cycling Team is fully focused on Budapest for now and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“I think we’re all feeling excited and just positive, and it’s probably the feeling of knowing that the Olympics are less than 50 days away and everyone is just going to support each other no matter the outcome,” she says. said.

“But we’re all focusing on one event at a time and we’re all doing the hard work and preparation together, yeah, we’re all looking forward to going there and just doing our best, supporting each other and I think The atmosphere is pretty good right now.”

ARA AUSTRALIAN CYCLING TEAM

Gentlemen

• Alec Danelutti
• Logan Martin
• Jaie Toohey

Women

• Natalya Diehm
• Sara Nicki

Olympic Qualifying Series Schedule – Budapest

Olympic Qualifier Series – broadcast in Budapest

Olympic qualifying series standings

Images: SWPix.com