Ciara Oliva won bronze for Wales in the women’s team pursuit at the Commonwealth Games this summer, standing on the podium with her three children watching. The 37-year-old cyclist’s return to international competition came after nearly a decade away from the sport and a break that included having three children with her partner, fellow cyclist Lewis.
Oliva first joined the Great Britain cycling programme in 2014 and claimed two European titles and a world bronze in the women’s team pursuit before the 2016 Rio Olympics. Despite her success, she was named only as a reserve for the British team at Rio, where teammates Laura Kenny, Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell set a new world record to win gold. “I had to stand on the sidelines and watch that happen. And I was truly heartbroken,” Oliva said.
She retired from cycling in 2018 and became a physiotherapist, believing her competitive career was over. “I honestly thought I was done,” she told BBC Sport Wales. Watching a documentary on Olympic rower Helen Glover reignited her desire to compete. “I just burst into tears. I was like, I’m not done yet,” Oliva said. “There was still that little voice that was saying, just have a crack at it one last time.”
The decision to return came as her children grew older, but balancing training with family life has been a challenge. Oliva described fitting in indoor turbo sessions during her youngest child’s naps or sometimes as late as 10pm. Her husband Lewis and the children’s grandparents have been crucial to managing the demands of training and parenting. “Lewis’s parents were out on a training camp with us in Italy so that we were able to train together,” she said.
Oliva’s comeback has coincided with a strong period for British women’s endurance cycling. At last month’s Track World Championships, Great Britain won gold in the team pursuit, with Millie Couzens taking individual pursuit gold and Anna Morris finishing with three gold medals. Oliva acknowledges that securing a final spot for the Los Angeles Olympics will be difficult. “It will be a tall order,” she said.
Her approach to training has evolved since her earlier career. Focusing more on strength work, she targets areas she once identified as weaknesses and feels faster and stronger than ever. “Thanks to my young family, I am certainly more motivated than ever,” Oliva said. Her eldest daughter has become a keen supporter, holding up Oliva’s Great Britain suit with pride. “I said to her, Mummy had to work really hard to get that back, you know. And she said I know, Mummy, I see it every day.”
Oliva’s return to elite cycling after a decade away and three children highlights the challenges and sacrifices involved. She remains determined to pursue her Olympic dream again, with her family by her side.
According to Yahoo Sports.
