Kate Waugh will make her Olympic Games debut on Wednesday and she says she has realised her dream by believing in herself and ignoring any negative thoughts from others.
The 25-year-old Brit had a breakthrough season in 2023 which included a second place in the WTCS Grand Final in Pontevedra as well as claiming the overall Super League Championship title.
She’s carried on the good work this season and won a closely-fought battle for the third and final spot on a super-strong Team GB female line up.
‘Never stop believing’
And speaking on the eve of the Games, when asked what advice she’d have for other aspiring athletes she had a clear message: “Confidence is key when you’re an elite athlete. I think you have to believe in yourself more than anyone else.
“I was told two years ago by someone that I used to be close to that I shouldn’t even be considering Paris. And now two years later I’m on my way there.
I think if I’d decided to listen to those sort of people then I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“Surround yourself with people who lift you up, never stop believing in yourself because you never know where it can take you.”
‘Instagram-style course’
And Waugh added that it was last year’s Paris Test Event, where she finished seventh behind teammate Beth Potter, which gave her an added boost, saying: “After competing in the Test Event last year I was more motivated than ever to make that team.
“With the crowds that we had at the Test Event and imagining what next week will be like has definitely kept me motivated for the last 12 months.
![Kate Waugh bike Paris Test Event 2023 [Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]](https://www.tri247.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Kate-Waugh-bike-Paris-Test-Event-2023.jpg)
“The strength in depth in British triathlon, particularly in the women at the moment, means you’ve got to up your game and be constantly showing up at your best and I think it’s really pushed me to my limits and brought the most out of me.
“It was super-competitive but I think I had a breakthrough season in 2023 and I’m really happy with the decision that was made.
“It’s been a childhood dream. I’m really, really excited and I hope to be bringing my best self to the Games.
“There are lots of factors to take in too. Such as the current in the Seine, the cobbles on the bike – and the run. It’s a super-fast course.
“But I’m going to try not to over-think it and just prepare as I would for any other Championship race.
“It’s also going to be an incredibly iconic course. It’s kind of an Instagram-style course, it’s absolutely beautiful and there are some very cool photo opportunities.”
Doubling down
Photos will be the last thing on Waugh’s mind when the gun goes off – all that matters is she produces her best form and the rest will follow.
She had spoken about the challenges of being in peak shape for what was the GB priority race in Cagliari at the end of May – and then again two months later in Paris.
But things have gone well as she explained: “I’ve had a really good training block in the last eight weeks and my fitness has moved on significantly from earlier in the year so I’m excited to see what I can bring to the Games.
“I think I’ve always seen myself as a Championship performer, I always find a little bit extra when it comes to the biggest races – I think I’ve shown that throughout my career.
“When I’m building up towards those races in my final two weeks of training, I just seem to find that extra boost and double down a bit more.”
And she admits that having won one close selection battle, she’s now hoping to add another with a spot in the Mixed Relay team for the defending champions: “Obviously I really want to make that team. The medal chances are really high for Team GB so it’s hard to fully block it out of your mind.
“But for now I’m just focussing on producing my best individual performance as hopefully that will put me in good stead for the relay.”
