Queensland Academy of Sport track cyclist Olivia Wright is gearing up for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
K-Zone: How much do you train?
Olivia: I do about 10 sessions a week, split between gym and the track. On top of that, I’m studying a health degree and completing my placements in hospitals, so managing my time is as critical of a skill as a track stand!
K-Zone: How did you discover you were good at cycling?
Olivia: I started out as a 100m sprinter on the athletics track! I was talent identified through the Queensland Academy of Sport’s Youfor2032 program. They thought my explosive power could translate well to the bike. Once I made the switch, things just started to click! I always had the belief, but the YouFor2032 program gave me a huge platform.
K-Zone: What do you love most about your sport?
Olivia: The raw speed! A track bike has one gear and no brakes, so you have to commit to every decision. There’s something powerful in learning to trust your strength in the moment. There’s no feeling like leaving everything you have out there on the track.
K-Zone: What goal are you working towards?
Olivia: The Olympics are well and truly on my radar. Racing for Australia in Brisbane in front of a home crowd is something I think about a lot. But my biggest goal is to become the best version of myself through sport. If I can achieve that, I’ve succeeded.
K-Zone: What’s your ‘personal best’ so far?
Olivia: Winning bronze at the UCI Junior Track World Championships with my team and setting a new Australian national record in the team sprint. We made history together, and being able to share that moment with my family in the crowd made it even more special.
K-Zone: Who is your biggest inspiration in your sport?
Olivia: I am inspired by any athlete who has played the game on their own terms. Someone who stays true to who they are and what they believe in, even under pressure. That kind of boldness is more impressive than any athletic performance.
K-Zone: What was the moment you realised you could ‘go pro’?
Olivia: It was more of a gradual realisation than one big moment. I’ve always backed myself, and a huge part of that comes from my parents and my partner. My confidence is deeply rooted in the people in my corner. Track cycling has given me an incredible platform to see just how far I can go with that support behind me.
K-Zone: How would you describe your cycling style?
Olivia: Explosive! I find where I have an edge and I go for it, no hesitation. No matter how the race looks on paper, I’ll never count myself out.
K-Zone: What sport moment would you most like to relive?
Olivia: Lining up on the start line in Apeldoorn. I sat up in the gate and faced the crowd with the biggest smile. Fear is excitement with a different name. I wanted to show everyone what I was capable of and that’s exactly what I did!
K-Zone: What would you say to someone considering taking up cycling?
Olivia: Go for it – and when you do, back yourself! Track cycling is as fast and exciting as it gets. You never know what you’re capable of until you commit to finding out.
