Celebrity Interviews
June 2012
 
Interview with Joanna Rowsell
by Ramona Portelli
e-mail:-  ramonaportelli@hotmail.com
Website:-  www.ramonaportelli.com

RAMONA PORTELLI from okmalta.com interviewed full-time cyclist – JOANNA ROWSELL.  She is from London, UK but currently lives in Manchester.  Joanna is 23 years old, and currently she is training for the London 2012 Olympics.

She is also a three times World Champion and also the current World Record holder.  Joanna has been cycling since 2004 after being talent spotted.

Describe yourself in your own words
Determined! Hard working and focussed.

What do you do and how did you get into it?
I am a rider on the Great Britain Cycling Team.  My event is the women’s Team Pursuit which is held on the velodrome and I am hoping to compete in the Olympics this summer.  I have been World Champion three times in this event and am also the current World Record holder.  I started cycling in 2004 after being talent spotted.  I wasn’t a cyclist previously, but I was identified as having potential.  I became a full time cyclist in 2007 after I finished my A-Levels at school.

You had many successes.  To mention some to date are the gold medals you won in the women’s team pursuit at the 2008, 2009 and 2012 World Championships.  What are your comments?
It is an amazing feeling to become World Champion!  In 2009 it was announced the Women’s Team Pursuit would be in the Olympics for the first time in 2012, so that is what I have been working towards ever since.

As a cyclist, you compete on track and road.  What’s the difference, and which from these you prefer most?
I prefer racing on the track as I love the intensity.  Racing on the track is much shorter and it is flat out from the start.  Racing on the road is a lot longer and a lot more tactical.  I prefer racing on the track as tactics don’t come into it and it is just the strongest who wins.

Currently you are training for the Team Pursuit at the London 2012 Olympics.  Can you share with my readers more information about your involvement in this year’s Olympic Games?
In the GB team we have 4 riders competing for the 3 places in the team.  So I am currently training hard in order to get a place in the team.

Does the racing help you to stay motivated, and focused in other areas of your life?
My life revolves around my sport.  So everything I do is thinking about that target.  This involves planning out my meals, eating healthily and ensuring I get enough rest.

What is the feeling after you win a race?
The feeling after winning a race is absolutely awesome.  It keeps me going when I am training hard on wet and windy days!

You have Alopecia areata – a condition resulting in hair loss.  How do you deal with this condition?
I have lived with this condition since I was 10 years old, so I am now quite accepting of this condition.  I don’t let it affect my day to day life as there is nothing I can do to change it, so there is no point in worrying about it.

If you are in a relationship, let us know how long have you been?
I have been with my boyfriend for two and a half years.

What’s your sense of style and what do you wear on a daily basis?
In the winter I tend to wear skinny jeans, boots and my favourite red coat.  In the summer I love to wear girly summer dresses and sandals.

What does your most ideal day consist of?
I train 6 days a week which I really enjoy, but on my day off I love to have a lie in and then maybe do something relaxing like go to the cinema or go out for a meal.  On holiday I really enjoy spending time on the beach and swimming in the sea.

What are your hopes, dreams and fears for the future?
I hope to win gold at the London 2012 Olympics!  After that I would like to continue competing up until the Rio 2016 Olympics.  More long term I would one day like to have children.

More information about Joanna Rowsell on www.joannarowsell.com

Photo Credits:- British Cycling (www.britishcycling.org.uk)

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, will take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012.

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