Track cyclist Olivija Baleišytė received her invitation to the Tokyo Olympic Games only days before the event and considers her experience in Japan the greatest lesson before her second time at the games. Baleišytė, 25, thinks she will display her true capabilities in Paris: “I feel more mature – both mentally and physically. In these games, I am truly going to fight for a high rank.
” The Panevežys-born athlete remembers connecting with the sport through her hometown bicycle track: “I remember my first time at the bicycle track when I was still very young, maybe 12 years old. I saw how tall and steep it was, looking at how the other athletes rode. I said that it wasn’t possible to ride it, how do you not fall down? That was interesting for me.
For a young child, it seemed like an impossible thing and I was so impressed that I wanted to ride like that – fast and high. That’s how that journey started.” This journey has led Baleišytė to her second Olympic Games.
The wait is calmer than her debut in Tokyo. Three years ago, Baleišytė only learned she was going to the games a few days before her event, taking tenth place all-round. The cyclist said that she couldn’t think of a better experience.
“I think that every athlete’s first Olympics are memorable and notable, but in my case, it was priceless. In my story alone, I knew until the very last minute that I had to be there. When my coach called me that there was a spot for me, we didn’t know if I could clear all the pandemic requirements in time.
It was still good news to hear that I had a spot. I knew I deserved to be there. My trip was very quick, my stay in Tokyo very short.
I didn’t even see the Olympic village but the experience was still priceless,” Baleišytė said. Baleišytė knew she wanted to make up for it in Paris, but getting to her second Games wasn’t as simple: “Our selections are truly unique because they last two seasons. Since I’m the only track cyclist in the nation, I can’t even have any microtraumas because I have to go to every competition.
“This year was pretty successful. After the second round of the world cup, where I won second place and earned a lot of points, I sat down with my coach. We realised that I probably wouldn’t even have to go to the third round.
It was hard to fathom because for two years I’d been giving my utmost without knowing how it’d go. It was so great to relax, because I’ve qualified. It was done.
” Cyclist Simona Krupeckaitė’s former coach Dmitrijus Leopoldas compliments Baleišytė and has no doubt that her career can achieve greater things on the track. “She’s unbelievably relentless. She’s stubborn and won’t even give away a centimetre if she needs it.
She trains equally well. High mastery and achievement are always something different and incomprehensible to ordinary people,” Leopoldas said. Krupeckaitė’s achievements inspired Baleišytė but she reveals that her dream was never about the games: “Since I was little, I never dreamed about being at the games as a cyclist.
I don’t think I even knew how important they were. In the sport, we have world cup shirts. Every discipline gets these white beautiful shirts with flags on them.
When I saw Krupeckaitė as a child in that shirt, I always dreamed that one day I would be a world champion and have one myself.” Long-time track cycling coach Leopoldas says that this sport truly isn’t for everyone and that high interest doesn’t guarantee success in the arena. “We’re like Formula-1.
People are interested in it, but when they try, it’s hard to cycle at that speed. One feels like an astronaut when moving at that fast. I can’t say that the feeling is pleasant for everyone,” Leopoldas, who has trained generations of cyclists, said.
Baleišytė also compares track cycling to motor sports, understanding the responsibility for representing Lithuania: “Representing Lithuanian in the Olympic Games is truly a serious thing. Lithuania is not a big country. We know that interest in cycling is growing and needs more investment.
Similar to motor sports, cycling is improving. That’s why we know making it to the Olympics in this sport is a high achievement.” Although happy to compete in Paris, Baleišytė and her coach expect to do more in Paris.
“She can achieve everything she wants. Everything is possible until we cross that finish line. I believe she’s unbelievably motivated.
I believe that while preparing we will give it everything we have. I think that if the stars are aligned, everything will be good,” Leopoldas assured. Baleišytė believes she has reached a new maturity and can compete with anyone: “While only three years have passed since the Tokyo games, I feel like it’s been five or more.
I feel more mature – both physically and mentally. In these games, I am truly going to compete for a higher rank.” Weekly newsletter every Friday.
